Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Fatal Shooting of Kentucky Deputy

A Kentucky man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to the fatal shooting of a sheriff’s deputy during a routine traffic stop.

Guilty Plea Leads to Life Sentence

Steven Sheangshang, 47, pleaded guilty in a Scott County courtroom on Wednesday to multiple charges, including the murder of Scott County sheriff’s Deputy Caleb Conley. Conley, 35, was shot and killed along Interstate 75 in 2023.

As part of his plea deal, Sheangshang was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 70 years, which will run concurrently.

Attorney General Declares Justice Served

Following the sentencing, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman stated that “justice has been done.”

“The criminal who killed Deputy Conley will spend the rest of his natural life in the custody of the Kentucky Department of Corrections,” Coleman said. “He’ll never hurt anyone again.”

Crime Spree Across Two Counties

Authorities revealed that after shooting Deputy Conley, Sheangshang fled the scene and committed additional crimes in both Scott and Fayette counties. He ultimately pleaded guilty to 14 felony charges, including robbery and two counts of wanton endangerment.

The attorney general’s office prosecuted him for the offenses that took place in Scott County.

Honoring Deputy Conley’s Legacy

Conley had served with the Scott County Sheriff’s Department for four years and was a U.S. Army veteran, having spent eight years in military service.

During the sentencing, Conley’s family members delivered emotional victim impact statements, describing the devastating loss of their loved one.

Attorney General Coleman praised the fallen deputy, calling him “a tribute to that uniform that he wore, that badge that he wore.” He also vowed that his office would continue to work closely with law enforcement to ensure that those who take the lives of Kentucky officers receive the maximum punishment.

A Message of Accountability

With Sheangshang now sentenced to life without parole, state officials emphasized that attacks on law enforcement officers will not be tolerated. The case serves as a stark warning that those who commit such crimes in Kentucky will face the full force of the law.