John Ryea, Firearm Charges, Vermont 2023

A 40-year-old Rutland man is facing serious charges after a federal grand jury indicted him on firearm charges.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, John Ryea was arraigned in the District of Vermont on November 29, 2023, on a two-count indictment.

The indictment alleges that Ryea possessed a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and possessed a stolen firearm.

Ryea was arrested on November 28, 2023, and made an initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on November 29, 2023.

Ryea was ordered detained pending further proceedings.

According to court records, Ryea has a November 30, 2022, misdemeanor domestic violence conviction from Rutland Superior Court, where he admitted to punching his then live-in girlfriend in the jaw.

He remained on probation in that state court case when he allegedly committed the charges contained in this federal indictment.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Ryea remains presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted of a crime.

If convicted, Ryea faces a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.

The actual sentence will be advised by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jon Ophardt and Colin Owyang. Ryea is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven Barth.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Ryea’s case is a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing public safety and holding individuals accountable for their actions.

We will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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