Crime

Ex-Girlfriend of Kansas Shooter Arrested for Providing Him with Guns Used in Factory Rampage

Sarah Hopkins allegedly gave Cedric Ford two guns back in August, knowing he was a convicted felon

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Published on February 29, 2016 12:50 PM

Federal authorities have arrested the former girlfriend of the shooter who killed 3 people and injured 14 in a Kansas factory last Thursday, claiming the girlfriend provided him with two of the guns that were used in the massacre.

A statement provided to PEOPLE confirms that Sarah Hopkins, 28, who is the mother of the two small children of shooter Cedric Ford, 38, was charged on Friday with one count of knowingly transferring a firearm to a convicted felon.

Officials claim Hopkins, who lives in Newton, Kansas, was aware the shooter was a convict when she gave him two firearms – an AK-47 and a 40-caliber handgun – last summer.

Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms.

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Hours after his attack, the shooter was killed by police during a brief standoff.

According to a Department of Justice statement on her arrest, Hopkins could be sentenced to ten years in prison if convicted and faces fines of up to $250,000.

Hopkins told investigators she lived with the shooter until this past July. She allegedly gave him the guns a month later, after he threatened her, detectives say.

Records show the guns were purchased by Hopkins in 2014, and later pawned. Hopkins got the AK-47 back from the pawn shop on Feb. 5, according to investigators.

Information regarding Hopkins’ attorney was unavailable Monday.