Idaho Man Found Guilty of Federal Firearm Charge Following Incidents Near Lima and Monida

MISSOULA, Mont. — An Idaho man accused of unlawfully possessing stolen firearms following a series of incidents in Beaverhead County has been found guilty by a federal jury.

Jeremy Thomas Sepanski, 44, was convicted Tuesday of unlawfully possessing a firearm following a two-day trial in federal court, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith.

Sepanski faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided over the trial and will determine the sentence after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 5, 2027. Sepanski remains detained pending further proceedings.

Firearms Reported Missing Near Lima

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sepanski was prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple felony convictions between 2007 and 2025.

Federal prosecutors alleged that in late August 2025, Sepanski was driving a blue Toyota sedan when he stopped at a yard sale near Lima, Montana.

While speaking with the property owner, Sepanski asked if he could stay in an outbuilding on the property. The owner agreed.

Several days later, the property owner discovered that numerous belongings, including firearms, were missing. Sepanski had also left the property.

Motorcyclist Reports Attempted Gun Sale Near Monida

On August 31, 2025, a motorcyclist stopped along Interstate 15 near Monida to stretch his legs when Sepanski allegedly approached him in the blue Toyota.

According to prosecutors, Sepanski asked the motorcyclist if he wanted to purchase firearms.

The two traveled to a nearby gas station so the motorcyclist could obtain cash for the purchase.

Before any payment was made, Sepanski disappeared, leaving three pistols in the luggage rack of the motorcyclist's motorcycle.

A Beaverhead County Sheriff's deputy happened to be at the gas station. The motorcyclist approached the deputy, reported the encounter and turned over the firearms.

Lima Residents Report Additional Encounters

Prosecutors also described a separate incident involving a woman driving near Lima.

The woman reported seeing a blue sedan run a stop sign at an intersection. She honked at the vehicle and continued driving.

The following day, she reportedly noticed the same vehicle following her around the area. The sedan later drove past her home several times before pulling into her driveway that evening.

The woman's husband went outside carrying a rifle and told the driver to leave.

According to evidence presented in court, the driver, later identified as Sepanski, told the husband that he also had firearms and displayed a pistol.

Sepanski left the property, and the couple called 911 to report the encounter.

Pursuit Ends With Arrest

Shortly after the reported incident, a Beaverhead County Sheriff's deputy spotted Sepanski driving the blue Toyota and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

According to prosecutors, Sepanski accelerated away from the deputy, leading law enforcement on a pursuit.

The chase continued until Sepanski's vehicle became disabled, allowing deputies to take him into custody.

Following the arrest, another Lima-area resident approached deputies and reported that Sepanski had previously visited his residence and displayed several firearms.

Federal Sentencing Scheduled for February

Following the two-day trial, the federal jury found Sepanski guilty of unlawfully possessing a firearm.

Although the case involved allegations concerning stolen firearms, the announced conviction was for unlawful firearm possession.

The maximum possible sentence is 15 years in prison, but the actual sentence will be determined by the federal judge.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office, with the investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office.

Sepanski's sentencing is scheduled for February 5, 2027.