Eagle River man sentenced to 10 years for possessing a firearm as a felon during a crime of domestic violence

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - An Eagle River man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for using a prohibited firearm during a crime of domestic violence.

According to court documents, in November 2023, Anchorage police officers were called after a bystander contacted a female victim after she escaped a domestic violence assault. The victim told police that Kyle Reynolds, 28, strangled her, slashed the tires of her vehicle and threatened her with a pistol. Reynolds also took the victim's phone so she could not report the assault.

Anchorage police officers arrested Reynolds that same day. Officers recovered the knife Reynolds used to slash the victim's tires and a handgun in Reynolds' truck.

Shortly after his arrest, Reynolds called his mother and co-defendant, Elizabeth Chardome, 68, from custody and allegedly instructed her to force entry to his residence and attempt to secure a second firearm. Court documents alleged that Chardome, knowing that her son was prohibited from possessing firearms, purchased for Reynolds the firearm used to assault the victim.

Before the charged conduct, Reynolds had a prior felony conviction for assault and failing to stop at the direction of a peace officers resulting in injury. Reynolds is also a recidivist domestic violence offender.

On April 22, 2024, Reynolds was charged by complaint with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. On Aug. 21, 2024, Chardome and Reynolds were indicted by a federal grand jury with crimes related to the November 2023 incident. Chardome is charged with one count of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm and is scheduled for trial on April 27, 2026.

During sentencing, the Court also ordered Reynolds to serve three years on supervised release following the completion of his custodial sentence.

"Mr. Reynolds' extensive criminal history reflects repeated abuse of women and a persistent disregard for the law," said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. "This sentence sends a clear message that violent crimes committed with prohibited firearms will be met with significant penalties under federal law. I commend the survivor's remarkable courage and the swift actions of law enforcement in holding Reynolds accountable."

"This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant's actions. Mr. Reynolds escalated an already dangerous domestic violence situation with a firearm he was prohibited from possessing," said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais of the ATF Seattle Field Division. "When someone with a history of violence chooses to arm themselves, both the victim and community are at even greater risk. Our agency will continue to prioritize protecting survivors and ensuring that those who repeatedly commit acts of violence face meaningful consequences."

The ATF Anchorage Field Office and Anchorage Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander prosecuted the case.

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