BANGOR, Maine – Caleb Rhine, 22, of Blue Hill, Maine, is facing a potential decade behind bars after pleading guilty today to a federal charge of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. The case, prosecuted in U.S. District Court in Bangor, reveals a brazen attempt to arm himself while already facing serious drug charges.
Court records detail that Rhine was indicted in Hancock County Superior Court on June 8, 2023, on one count of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs. Despite this pending indictment, Rhine attempted to purchase a firearm on May 5, 2024, from a licensed dealer in Ellsworth. The critical error? A lie on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473.
When asked if he was “under indictment…for a felony, or any other crime for which the judge could imprison you for more than one year…?” Rhine checked “No.” This false answer, investigators say, was key to his successful purchase of the weapon just days later. He knowingly circumvented the law, attempting to obtain a firearm while actively facing felony charges. The implications are clear: a convicted drug trafficker trying to further arm himself.
Rhine now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a hefty fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release following his incarceration. The actual sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after a thorough review of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors. A presentence investigative report will be completed by the U.S. Probation Office to provide the judge with a comprehensive background on Rhine and the circumstances of the crime.
The investigation was a joint effort between the ATF and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, highlighting the importance of interagency cooperation in combating firearms-related offenses. This case falls under the umbrella of “Operation Take Back America,” a sweeping nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Department of Justice.
Operation Take Back America aims to dismantle criminal organizations and protect communities by leveraging resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). The DOJ claims the operation is focused on repelling illegal immigration, eliminating cartels, and combating violent crime – though critics question the scope and effectiveness of such broad initiatives. Rhine’s case serves as a stark example of the types of offenses this operation seeks to address: preventing dangerous individuals from obtaining firearms.
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Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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