A federal grand jury in Boise has indicted Luke James Estep, 27, on charges of dealing firearms without a license. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit and returned on November 13, 2024.
The indictment includes two counts against Estep, alleging that he sold firearms in October 2024 despite not being a licensed firearms dealer. If convicted, 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 who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other statutory factors.
Estep was arrested on November 14 and is currently held at the Ada County Jail. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grasham and entered a plea of not guilty. A jury trial is scheduled for January 6, 2025, at the federal courthouse in Boise under Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Meridian Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Horwitz is leading the prosecution.
This legal action is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities to enhance neighborhood safety. Launched on May 26, 2021, the program emphasizes building community trust and legitimacy, supporting organizations that prevent violence, focusing enforcement efforts strategically, and evaluating outcomes.
It should be noted that an indictment serves as an allegation; all defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.