Justin D. Whatcott Acting United States Attorney for the District of Idaho | Department of Justice
A Fort Hall resident, Abe L. Sireech, aged 37, has been sentenced to 29 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm illegally. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.
Court records reveal that on August 6, 2022, the Fort Hall Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked outside a residence. Upon arrival, officers found Sireech in the driver's seat and suspected he was under the influence of alcohol. During their interaction with him, they noticed a rifle positioned next to his right leg. After removing Sireech from the vehicle, officers discovered it was a loaded semi-automatic rifle accompanied by additional loaded magazines inside the car. A background check showed that Sireech had previously been convicted of felony aggravated assault, making him legally barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.
On April 7, 2025, Sireech entered a guilty plea for illegal possession of the firearm. In addition to his prison term, Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ordered that Sireech serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.
Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott praised the collaborative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Hall Police Department in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Haycock led the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering cooperation between law enforcement agencies and communities to enhance neighborhood safety. The program's strategy focuses on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes effectively.
