By Julie Johansen
On April 15, law enforcement officers responded to a call from a Greyhound bus driver at the West Winds/Pilot in Green River.
The driver was trying to remove an individual from the bus because he would not abide by Greyhound rules. Several officers responded as backup, but the conflict continued with several assaults on the officers. Eventually, a taser was used to remove Shawn Andrew Stalcup, 27, from the bus. He swallowed a taser probe, which caused bodily harm. Stalcup allegedly spit and threw up blood on several troopers and deputies. He was then transported to the hospital before he could be booked in the Emery County Jail.
Stalcup appeared for sentencing on Tuesday. Stalcup had entered a guilty plea at a previous hearing. However, on Tuesday, he made a motion to remove his guilty plea stating his dissatisfaction with the recommended sentencing. Emery County Deputy Attorney Brent Langston convinced Judge Douglas B. Thomas that this was not a legal basis to withdraw Stalcup’s plea.
Emery County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kay Jensen and Utah Highway Patrolman Ryan Jensen both testified that during the arrest, their lives were in peril. Deputy Jensen stated that when Stalcup grabbed his gun the first time, he knew he was going to die along with several other people. This case has had great impact on his life.
Trooper Jensen also testified of the trauma the encounter has had on his life. He responded as backup to Deputy Jensen and Stalcup also allegedly grabbed for his weapon. According to Deputy Jensen, he thought he was not going home. Reportedly, both men are suffering from PTSD following the arrest.
Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk then testified of the behavior of Stalcup while in the Emery County Jail. He stated that Stalcup has been housed in segregation away from other inmates because of his propensity for violence. The sheriff also reported of the cost to the county as Stalcup tore a TV off the wall and destroyed other jail property. He also cut himself, requiring medical attention. Sheriff Funk recommended he be placed in the state prison, not in the Emery County Jail.
As the sheriff’s office transported him to prison, Stalcup allegedly commented he was glad for the cost to taxpayers and stated he planned to stay in prison longer than the sentence because he planned to be violent in prison.
Emery County Attorney Mike Olson expressed his gratitude for all the agencies involved stating, “In the face of great bodily harm or even death, the Emery County Sheriff Office and Utah Highway Patrol were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in the protection of the citizens of Emery County. They performed at the highest level of excellence and did so with the highest degree of professionalism.”
Olsen also thanked his office staff for vigorously advancing the case through the court system and ultimately convicting Stalcup and sentencing him to consecutive prison time.