Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Ness County Sheriff Pleads Guilty, Agrees to Resign
WICHITA, KAN. – The Sheriff of Ness County pleaded guilty Monday to a federal firearm charge and agreed to resign, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Sheriff Bryan Whipple, 48, Ness City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly selling a gun to a person who was prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm. In his plea, Whipple admitted he arranged to sell a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition to a man he knew was a convicted felon.
The plea agreement calls for Whipple to resign his position as sheriff and to surrender his law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training. Both parties will recommend Whipple be sentenced to probation. Sentencing is set for Jan. 17.
McAllister commended the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.
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