Former USP McCreary Inmate Sentenced to Life in Prison for First Degree Murder

LEXINGTON, Ky.— A man originally from New Orleans, but who was confined at United States Penitentiary McCreary, Kenneth Shaver, 45, was sentenced to life in federal prison on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, following his conviction for first-degree murder.

According to evidence presented at Shaver’s trial, Shaver, his co-defendant Justin Boe, and the victim, Lance Cameron Smith, were federal inmates in custody at USP McCreary.  Shaver and Boe assaulted Smith due to suspicion that Smith had cooperated with law enforcement.  On February 4, 2015, Boe lured Smith into Boe’s cell, where Shaver was waiting for him.  Per trial testimony, Smith was stabbed dozens of times and subsequently died from those wounds.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the United States Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Rosenberg prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

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