A Silvis, Illinois man was sentenced on March 12 to five years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and federal prosecutors to address gun violence and enforce laws prohibiting felons from possessing firearms.
Court documents show that John Able Rubingh, Sr., 45, fled from police at a convenience store and dropped a loaded pistol. He then rushed at an officer and struggled before being detained. At the time of the incident, Rubingh was prohibited from having firearms due to a previous felony eluding conviction in Scott County, Iowa in 2022. He was also on parole for a drug charge in Rock Island County, Illinois.
After serving his prison sentence, Rubingh will be required to complete three years of supervised release. The announcement noted that there is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman announced the sentencing. The Davenport Police Department investigated the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched an updated violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021, focusing on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
