Boise Man Sentence to 3 Years for Dealing Firearms without a License

BOISE - Luke Estep, 28, of Boise, Idaho, was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for dealing firearms without a license, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.

According to court documents and statements made in court, over two years, Estep trafficked in more than 199 firearms. Estep purchased firearms from Federal Firearm Licensed Dealers in the Treasure Valley and then resold these firearms on Z-Idaho.com. Investigators recovered 16 firearms originally purchased by Estep that were later used in crimes across Idaho, including drug trafficking and violent crimes.

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Estep serve 2 years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

"The illegal trafficking firearms always poses a risk to the public. By evading the reporting and documentation requirements of federal laws and regulations, Estep's actions placed firearms in the hands of criminals who used them to commit acts of violence," said U.S. Attorney Davis. "Estep's sentence reflects the seriousness of that risk to the public and should serve as a warning to all that the unlawful trafficking of firearms will not be tolerated."

"Mr. Estep contributed to the illicit flow of firearms to the black market, where they were used to commit violent crimes in our neighborhoods," said ATF Seattle Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Dawn Dodsworth. "May this sentence be a warning to all those who believe dealing firearms without a license is a victimless crime: You are endangering our communities, and ATF will relentlessly pursue you to prevent future violence and harm."

U.S. Attorney Davis made the announcement and commended the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Meridian Police Department, which led to the conviction.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Horwitz prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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