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Machine Gun Trafficker Sentenced to 18 Months
EUGENE, Ore.—In a shocking turn of events, Michael James Friesen, 33, of Prineville, Oregon, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for conspiracy to transfer and unlawful possession of a machine gun.
According to court documents, between May and June 2018, Friesen agreed to broker the sale of a Guide Lamp, Model M3A1, .45 ACP caliber machine gun for co-defendant John Widener Jordan, 38, also of Prineville. Between May 30 and June 5, Friesen discussed the sale price of the firearm with an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) posing as a potential purchaser. Friesen confirmed for the agent that he had seen the firearm function as a machine gun.
On June 6, Friesen met the undercover agent in a motel room in Prineville. Shortly thereafter, Jordan brought the firearm to the motel room and completed the transaction in exchange for $3,000 in cash. Jordan in turn paid Friesen for arranging the sale.
Friesen pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to transfer and unlawful possession of a machine gun on April 24, 2019.
Co-defendant John Widener Jordan is awaiting a jury trial scheduled to begin on October 16, 2019.
The case was investigated by the ATF and is being prosecuted by Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime by focusing enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partnering with locally based prevention and reentry programs.
Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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