U.S. Attorney Joshua D. Hurwit | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal grand jury in Boise has indicted Luke James Estep, 27, for allegedly selling firearms without a license. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit on November 13, 2024.
The indictment includes two counts and claims that Estep, who lacks a firearms dealer license, was involved in the sale of firearms in October 2024. If found guilty, Estep could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Estep was taken into custody on November 14 and booked at the Ada County Jail. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grasham and pleaded not guilty. His jury trial is set for January 6, 2025, at the federal courthouse in Boise under Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Meridian Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Horwitz is leading the prosecution.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
"An indictment is merely an allegation," it is noted that "all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."