Felon Who Brought Gun to Madison House Party Sentenced to 96 Months

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ronald Rice, 36, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 71 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, and an additional 24 months in prison for violation of supervised release conditions.

On January 10, 2020, Rice pleaded guilty to a one-count information that charged him with unlawful possession of a .40 caliber Glock firearm as a felon.  On May 19, 2019, Rice brought the gun to an after-party in Madison. At the time, Rice was on federal supervised release following his prison sentence for dealing drugs. Pursuant to a written plea agreement, Rice agreed to a joint sentencing recommendation of 71 months for the gun charge and 24 months for violating conditions of his supervised release, for a total sentence of 95 months in prison.

At today’s sentencing, Rice apologized for his conduct and noted that it was a dumb thing for him to do, bringing a gun to the May 19, 2019 party, and he was just hanging around the wrong people.  Judge Peterson agreed with Rice that it was a dumb thing to do, especially given the fact that Rice had just been released from federal prison 46 days earlier after serving a 72-month sentence for drug dealing.  Judge Peterson told Rice that he hoped Rice recognizes that being on supervised release is a tool to help an inmate get back on his feet, “but if you violate the rules and cause problems you will be revoked and go back to prison. “  Finally, Judge Peterson noted that, “People should understand that gun crimes, such as this one, pose an acute danger to the community, and if you unlawfully possess a firearm you will face a stiff penalty.”

The charges against Rice are the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department.  The prosecution of this case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime.  The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and violent crimes and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.