CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An Elkview man has received the maximum penitentiary sentence in relation to an incident involving an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.
According to the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, on December 13, 2023, authorities responded to a report of “suicidal thoughts” in the Elkview area Kanawha County. A second individual contacted emergency services shortly after with regard to shots reportedly fire.
Upon arriving at the scene of the incident, deputies observed 43-year-old James Kline of Elkview walking in their direction donning ballistic body armor and wielding an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle with a 30-round magazine holding 28 rounds.
It was discovered that Kline was also carrying three 30-round handgun magazines in addition, but reportedly dropped the weapon over a guardrail upon the approach of law enforcement.
Kline was convicted on April 8, 2024, of Wanton Endangerment and having been a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm by way of a “guilty” plea.
On Monday, the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reported that James Kline has been sentenced to ten years for gun crimes in relation to the incident, the maximum charge for the offense in question. Authorities note that, at the time of his arrest, Kline had been prohibited from owning or carrying a firearm due to a previous conviction of Burglary out of the State of Pennsylvania in December of 2004.
“I want to express gratitude to Corporal A.C. Miller, Deputy M. Wolfe, and Deputy M. Lonsinger for their professional response to this extremely dangerous situation,” said Kanawha County Prosecutor Debra Rusnak of the case, which was prosecuted before Circuit Judge, Kenneth Ballard by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Kanawha County, George Sitler.
