Jeremy Rusher, Aiding and Abetting Theft of Firearms, Arkansas 2016

Fayetteville, Arkansas – A devastating case of firearms theft has come to a close as Jeremy Rusher, age 39 of Seligman, Missouri, and Cory Rusher, age 29 of Jane, Missouri, received combined 16 years in prison for their roles in the burglary of a federal firearms licensee in Arkansas.

Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville, where Jeremy Rusher was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,650 fine. Cory Rusher, on the other hand, received 78 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release and was also ordered to pay a $2,650 fine. Both defendants were also ordered to pay $1,250 restitution jointly and severally.

The case dates back to July 11, 2016, when officers with the Pea Ridge Police Department responded to a reported burglary of a business that is a registered Federal Firearms Licensee. Surveillance footage revealed that Cory Rusher was seen taking five firearms from the business, while Jeremy Rusher and a female accomplice were seen walking around and looking in the store for an extended period of time.

On July 13, investigators located Jeremy Rusher inside a trailer and made contact with him. Officers observed two firearms inside the trailer that matched the description of and were later confirmed to be two of the firearms stolen in the burglary. After being advised of and waiving his Miranda rights, Jeremy Rusher admitted to knowing about the stolen guns. Multiple witnesses, including Cory Rusher, confirmed his assistance during the burglary.

Cory Rusher was also located, and after being advised of and waiving his Miranda rights, admitted to being involved in the burglary and assisted officers in locating the remainder of the stolen guns.

This case is another example of the efforts made by law enforcement agencies to reduce gun and gang violence, deter illegal possession of firearms, and improve the safety of residents in the Western District of Arkansas. The case was investigated by Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pea Ridge Police Department, United States Marshal Service, and the Joplin, Missouri SWAT Team.

Assistant United States Attorney’s David Harris and Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States. This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, which aims to reduce gun and gang violence, deter illegal possession of firearms, and improve the safety of residents in the Western District of Arkansas.

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