Kingsport Man Given More Than 21 Years in Prison for Federal Firearm Offenses

A Recent Verdict in Federal Firearm Offenses Case

A man from Kingsport, Tennessee, was recently sentenced to 262 months — over 21 years – in prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The convict, Ricco Saine, aged 44, was deemed an “armed career criminal” by Judge Ronnie Greer at the sentencing.

Details of The Case

The charge originated from a search performed on Saine’s vehicle in August 2021 at the Westside Inn in Kingsport. A Kingsport Police Department K-9 positively alerted on his car parked in the lot. Officers discovered a bag holding a loaded gun, along with Saine’s Tennessee Identification card, during the search.

Further investigations revealed that Ricco Saine’s partner, Tonya Saine, had procured firearms from a federal firearm licensee in Sevierville in October 2021, with him present. Video footage from the store’s security camera showed the two engaging in shopping for firearms.

Firearm Purchase and Delivery

The report disclosed that after discussing with Ricco Saine, Tonya Saine chose an AR15-style rifle, ammunition, a pistol, and a laser-dot sight for the pistol. She bought these items legally, but Ricco Saine was seen carrying away the AR15-type rifle in its box from the store.

Upon further inquiry, police agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) recovered the pistol along with the laser sight from Tonya Saine. Text message records between Tonya and Ricco Saine provided additional evidence, with messages like, “I’ve got your gun and stuff in the house.”

The distinctive laser sight and unique markings on the firearm allowed a witness to testify that they had seen Ricco Saine in possession of the pistol.

The Role of Tonya Saine

Prior to this, Tonya Saine was convicted for playing a part in providing firearms to Ricco Saine in May 2023. This month, following the crime, the Tennessee Department of Health revoked her registered nursing license, citing reasons such as guilt over a crime, incompetence through negligence or other causes, and unprofessional conduct.

Sentence and Future Implications

The Department of Justice confirmed that Ricco Saine’s sentence comprised 262 months in prison, with an additional 5 years of supervision post-release. This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violating federal firearm laws, especially for individuals with a criminal background. Society continues to rely on the justice system to enforce laws and maintain peace through strict punishments.