Twin Falls Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Gun Trafficking and Cartel Ties
BOISE – Arthur Michael Rhyne, a/k/a Arthur Michael O’Neil, 41, of Twin Falls, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison for unlawful possession of firearms, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.
According to court records, in August 2023, special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating Rhyne for illegally obtaining and shipping firearms. Agents learned that Rhyne attempted to ship a loaded Glock 9mm pistol with a machinegun conversion device, called a “switch,” installed on the Glock.
At the time of his arrest, Rhyne was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2008 California conviction for second degree commercial burglary. Rhyne had admitted to transferring firearms and ammunition to individuals in California, including a cartel drug dealer in Mexico, and told agents that he was purchasing the items, including Glock switches and silencers from a person overseas.
“Glock switches and similar conversion devices are simple to manufacture and are easy to install. They turn regular firearms into machineguns capable of inflicting a tremendous toll in a few split seconds,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “We will not tolerate the proliferation of the devices on our streets and will use all of our resources to hold accountable anyone who would distribute these deadly and illegal devices.”
When sentencing Rhyne, Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill noted the case was “spine chilling.” Judge Winmill stated that by arming people with automatic firearms, silencers, and high-capacity magazines, Rhyne had created a law enforcement officer’s worst nightmare.
Rhyne was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence and to forfeit all recovered firearms and ammunition. The case marked a significant victory in the ongoing efforts to combat illegal trafficking of these “trigger switches.”
“Today’s sentencing marks a significant victory in our ongoing efforts to combat illegal trafficking of these ‘trigger switches’. By partnering with the ATF, we have demonstrated our unwavering commitment to the goal of safe and secure communities for all,” said Inspector in Charge, Anthony Galetti, of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the ATF had worked tirelessly to dismantle such operations, and the use and distribution through the mail of these illegal conversion devices posed a serious threat to public safety.
Related Federal Cases
- Twin Falls Dealer Sentenced to 7 Years for ‘Glock Switches’ and Cartel Ties · Idaho
- Hells Angels’ Bud Runner Gets 12 Years · Washington
- Idaho Falls Drug Kingpin Sentenced to Over 20 Years · Idaho
- Raul Valencia-Hernandez Sentenced for Gun Possession · Idaho
- Nampa Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Methamphetamine and Gun Crimes · Idaho
Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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