Jason Allen Rhule, a 45-year-old resident of Charleston, West Virginia, has been sentenced to six years and five months in prison. This will be followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Court documents reveal that on July 24, 2024, parole officers searched Rhule’s residence as part of his supervision conditions. During the search, they 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 restriction due to his previous felony convictions for attempted manufacture of a controlled substance and attempted grand larceny.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the sentence and praised the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and West Virginia Parole Services for their investigative efforts.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston delivered the sentence while Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, focusing on fostering trust within communities, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
The press release is available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents can be accessed via PACER using Case No. 2:24-cr-157.
