Butte man sentenced to 3 years in prison for illegal firearm possession

MISSOULA – A Butte man who illegally possessed multiple firearms was sentenced today to 37 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Shawn Troy Thumper Saccheri, 49, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

The government alleged in court documents that on November 27, 2024, law enforcement conducted a search at Saccheri’s residence after receiving information he possessed firearms. Prior to the search, Saccheri admitted he possessed prohibited items. Law enforcement located the following five firearms and ammunition at his residence:

• Harrington & Richardson model 765 Pioneer, .22 caliber rifle
• Winchester model 1912, 12-gauge shotgun with a shortened barrel
• Western Auto Supply Revelation model 120, .22 caliber rifle
• Remington model 870, 12-gauge shotgun
• Winchester model 97, 12-gauge shotgun
• Harrington and Richardson model Bay State shotgun receiver
• Assorted ammunition and a magazine

On October 11, 2018, Saccheri was convicted of distribution of dangerous drugs, a felony, in Flathead County and sentenced to six years to the Montana Department of Corrections. On June 9, 2023, he was convicted of possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, in Yellowstone County and sentenced to five years all suspended with credit for 160 days in custody. Each conviction is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year which prohibits Saccheri from owning firearms.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Stack prosecuted the case. The ATF conducted the investigation.

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