William S. Thompson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia
Jason Allen Rhule, a 44-year-old resident of Charleston, West Virginia, has entered a guilty plea to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The plea was made in federal court.
The incident dates back to July 24, 2024, when parole officers conducted a search of Rhule's residence as part of his supervision conditions. During the search, authorities discovered a Taurus model PT-140 Millenium G2 .40-caliber pistol and a Palmetto State Armory model PA-15 multi-caliber rifle in his bedroom. At the time, Rhule was on parole for previous felony convictions.
Federal law prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Rhule was aware of this restriction due to his past felony convictions for attempted manufacture of a controlled substance and attempted grand larceny.
Rhule is set to be sentenced on June 18, 2025. He faces up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the guilty plea and praised the efforts of West Virginia Parole Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their investigative work.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin is handling the prosecution.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering community trust and setting strategic enforcement priorities.
Further information can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia or through PACER by searching Case No. 2:24-cr-157.
