Trial set in arson, robbery case

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man awaiting trial on attempted murder charges in Washington state is scheduled to stand trial this summer on a litany of charges in Idaho.

Steven Michael Gervasi is scheduled to be tried in 1st District Court in August on charges of robbery, grand theft, arson, burglary, aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Gervasi is set to stand trial in Washington in July for allegedly opening fire on a Bonner County sheriff’s deputy who pursued him into Pend Oreille County on May 9, 2016. Deputy Alex Hughes was not injured in the shooting, although gunshots landed perilously close to him during the pursuit.

The spasm of violence in Idaho occurred a few days before Gervasi’s armed confrontation with Hughes. Gervasi and his former girlfriend were accused of burglarizing a relative’s home and vehicle on May 6. A Baretta semiautomatic pistol, an all-terrain vehicle and a trailer were stolen in the heist, according to court documents. Two days later, the former couple is accused of torching a trailer home in the 900 block of Curtis Creek Road in the Spirit Valley.

Gervasi is further accused of attacking a woman who was in a vehicle parked on property where the arson later occurred. He allegedly snatched the woman’s phone and opened fire on her vehicle before setting the home on fire.

Hughes later spotted a Jeep Cherokee containing Gervasi’s ex and, it was later determined, Gervasi. Hughes pursued the Jeep into Pend Oreille County and was allegedly fired upon by Gervasi.

Gervasi, 26, eluded capture, but was later apprehended. Gervasi’s ex was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for providing information about the incident, court records show.

Gervasi is being held in Pend Oreille County while awaiting trial. He faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a weapon due to a prior felony conviction.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.