Rutland Man Sentenced in Gun Case

Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that on December 2, 2024, John Ryea, 41, of Rutland, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge William K. Sessions III to a term of approximately two and one-half months' imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Ryea previously pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen firearm after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

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 committed the crime to which he pleaded guilty.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Vermont State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Vermont Drug Task Force.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Owyang. Ryea was represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels.

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. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.