Jason Allen Rhule, a 45-year-old resident of Charleston, West Virginia, has been sentenced to six years and five months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. This sentence comes after he was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The court documents revealed that on July 24, 2024, while on parole for previous felony convictions, Rhule's residence was searched by parole officers. During the search, officers 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. They also found loaded ammunition magazines, including high-capacity magazines for the rifle.
Federal law prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Rhule was aware of this prohibition due to his past convictions for attempted manufacture of a controlled substance in Putnam County Circuit Court on October 3, 2022, and attempted grand larceny in Kanawha County Circuit Court on July 31, 2023.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the sentencing and praised the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with West Virginia Parole Services for their investigative efforts.
The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement at all levels and community organizations. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021.
Additional information regarding this case can be accessed via PACER under Case No. 2:24-cr-157.
