A Martin City man recently pleaded not guilty to theft of guns, ammunition and reloading equipment from a Kila home last year.

Over the course of several days in December of last year, Tucker Mathis, 24, allegedly stole guns, ammunition, reloading equipment and other personal property belonging to a Kila man. 

Flathead County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Roberts responded to a residence in Kila for suspicious activity, according to court documents. The reporting party had been plowing the driveway of the home when he noticed a dirt bike laying in the driveway, vehicle doors left open and a garage door open. The deputy also noted that the main living area and two outbuildings appeared ransacked. The property owner was out of town at the time. The owner provided police with a list of missing items on Dec. 22 including 24 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office identified Mathis as a suspect Dec. 23. Mathis allegedly admitted to committing the burglary and making three trips to the house to steal items. The charges are punishable by a maximum term of 10 years in the state prison, a maximum fine of $50,000 and restitution for the stolen items.

Mathis has a prior conviction for misdemeanor criminal mischief involving a Coram business in 2010. The sentence was for five years with two years suspended.

Mathis is being held in the Flathead County jail for the thefts in addition to driving with a suspended or revoked license, no liability insurance coverage and revocation of a suspended sentence. Bail is set at $10,000.

He is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing April 6. A jury trial is set for May 31.