Blue Hill Man Sentenced for Lying on Gun Purchase Form

Caleb Rhine checked 'no' on federal form while under indictment, leading to 1-year prison term.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Caleb Rhine, a 22-year-old from Blue Hill, Maine, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for making a false statement while purchasing a firearm. In May 2024, Rhine bought a gun from a federally licensed dealer in Ellsworth, Maine, despite being under indictment for aggravated drug trafficking at the time. He falsely checked 'no' on the required ATF Form 4473, which asks if the buyer is under indictment for a felony or other serious crime.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of thorough background checks and truthful disclosures in gun purchases to uphold public safety. Lying on federal firearms forms is a serious crime that can result in significant prison time, even for relatively young offenders like Rhine.

The details

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Rhine was able to successfully purchase the gun a few days after filling out the ATF form, in part due to his false representations. In addition to the 12-month prison sentence, Rhine will also serve three years of supervised release following his jail time.

  • On May 5, 2024, Rhine purchased the gun from a federally licensed dealer in Ellsworth, Maine.
  • On Tuesday, Rhine was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for the false statement.

The players

Caleb Rhine

A 22-year-old man from Blue Hill, Maine who was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for making a false statement while purchasing a firearm.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that prosecuted Rhine for the crime and announced his sentencing.

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The takeaway

This case underscores the legal consequences of providing false information on federal firearms forms, even for relatively young offenders. It serves as a warning to all gun buyers to be truthful in their disclosures to uphold public safety and the integrity of the background check system.