Charleston Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearms Charge
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 9:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
CHARLESTON, W.VA.- On Wednesday, a 44-year-old Charleston, West Virginia, man and previously convicted felon learned when sentenced, he would be facing up to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to unlawfully possessing a firearm by a felon.
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Jason Allen Rhule, 44, of Charleston, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas E. Johnston to one count of being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Convicted Felon.
Following entering his guilty plea on Wednesday, Judge Johnston accepted the plea, and scheduled sentencing for June 18, 2025. At that time, Rhule faces up to 15 years in federal prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. When sentenced, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Rhule’s prior criminal history.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston and charging information filed with the District Court. On July 24, 2024, Rhule, who was serving a term of parole for prior felony convictions, was visited by parole officers for a home inspection at his Charleston, West Virginia residence as a condition of his parole agreement. During the visit, parole officers found a Taurus G2 .40-caliber handgun and a Palmetto PA-15 multi-caliber rifle in his bedroom.
Federal law prohibits a person previously convicted of a felony from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition. On July 24, 2024, Rhule knew he was prohibited from possessing the firearms due to his prior felony convictions for attempted manufacturing of a controlled substance in Putnam County Circuit Court in October 2022 and attempted grand larceny in Kanawha County Circuit Court in July 2023.
Acting U.S. Attorney Johnston commended the investigative work of the West Virginia Parole Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which resulted in Rhule’s guilty plea on Wednesday.
