A St. Ignatius man who admitted to breaking into a St. Ignatius residence and stealing firearms pled guilty in Polson District Court June 25 to two counts of burglary.

Gentry William Brown, 28, also entered a plea of guilty to theft of a light vehicle stemming from a separate incident.

The pleas were entered as part of an agreement that could dismiss at sentencing one count of bail jumping and one count of aggravated fleeing or eluding law enforcement. It calls for a joint recommendation of 16 years in the Montana State Prison on each of the burglary charges, to run concurrently.

It also calls for five years with the Montana Department of Corrections with all that suspended on the theft charge. The plea agreement also calls for restitution of $13,532.14 in the burglary case. A separate hearing will determine if any restitution is owed in the case of the car theft.

According to court records, on Jan. 11, 2025, a homeowner contacted law enforcement to report a possible burglary to his residence and that 15 firearms were missing. He said surveillance video captured images of Brown directing a vehicle to park in an alley and then walking to and from the homeowner’s residence between 2 a.m. and 5:45 a.m.

The homeowner said the surveillance also showed Brown return that evening and enter his residence.

When interviewed by officers, Brown admitted to entering the residence without permission, but refused to identify any possible accomplice.

Brown initially indicated that he gave the firearms away. Later he said he buried some and gave some away. He further explained that he was upset with the homeowner, whom he had worked for in the past, and said he knew the combination to the safe holding the guns.

As for the theft of a light vehicle, Brown admitted to stealing a 2015 Accura TLX on April 19, 2026. He led law enforcement on a pursuit which resulted in the aggravated fleeing or eluding charge that is to be dismissed.

Judge John A. Mercer set sentencing for Aug. 13. Brown remains in custody.