Man convicted in Logan Tipton case to be released from prison again

KENTUCKY (WKYT) - The man convicted in the fatal 2015 attack on Logan Tipton and whose early release last year sparked controversy around the nation is being released from prison again.

Ronald Exantus, 42, will be released from the Kentucky State Reformatory on July 29, according to Kentucky’s online offender database.

Morgan Hall from the Kentucky Department of Corrections confirmed that with WKYT in a statement.

“In November, the Kentucky Parole Board issued a serve out, which means the inmate is no longer eligible for parole. Every time it had the opportunity, the Parole Board recommended Ronald Exantus stay in prison. Ronald Exantus must remain incarcerated until his expiration of sentence date which is July 29," the statement says.

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Exantus was found guilty but mentally ill in 2018 on assault charges for stabbing members of Tipton’s family, but was found not guilty of killing the Versailles youth by reason of insanity.

He was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Exantus became eligible for parole due to time served in 2019 and was denied parole three times between 2021-25.

However, Exantus was approved to serve his Mandatory Reentry Supervision in Florida per Kentucky law in October.

The decision led to threats being issued against members of the state parole board.

During the fallout from the decision, Kentucky lawmakers started discussing ways to close the legal loophole that led to Exantus’ release. The White House threatened to investigate the matter.

Exantus was arrested in Marion County, Florida, on October 9 for failure to register as a felon and was subsequently sent back to Kentucky.

In November, the Kentucky Parole Board revoked his Mandatory Reentry Supervision and ordered him to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Logan’s Law was introduced in the Kentucky General Assembly in 2026 and was signed into law by Gov. Andy Beshear in April.

The law toughens sentencing and parole requirements, including a requirement that those with life sentences serve at least 30 years before receiving parole.

It reformed mandatory reentry supervision and requires those who committed a violent felony with multiple victims to serve the sentences consecutively for each victim.

The law also eliminated split verdicts on mental illness or guilt.

When Exantus’s sentence expires later this month, he will be released with no probation or parole.