BLUEFIELD, WV — A Minnesota man already convicted in a double murder case has pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge after his arrest in Mercer County. Casey Rygh, 47, of Rochester, Minnesota, entered the guilty plea Monday to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
He now faces up to 15 years in prison, with sentencing set for Nov. 9.
How The Case Developed
According to court records, law enforcement officers were searching for Rygh on Aug. 23 when they found him and arrested him in the Matoaka area of Mercer County. Investigators said they recovered a loaded SCCY Model CPX-1 9mm pistol.
Court records also say officers knew Rygh was not allowed to possess a firearm because of prior felony convictions tied to two counts of murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery.
Federal Charges And Plea
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the case was handled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Marshals Service. U.S. Attorney Moore Capito announced the plea and said the matter was being prosecuted in federal court.
Rygh admitted to the gun charge during the hearing, which moved the case into the sentencing phase.
What Sentencing Could Mean
Rygh is scheduled to be sentenced in November and could receive a prison term of up to 15 years. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, according to the court filing.
The guilty plea resolves the federal firearm count tied to his arrest in Mercer County, while the underlying murder convictions remain part of his criminal record.
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