A Prineville man was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in federal prison and three years suspended release for brokering the sale of a machine gun.
According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Eugene, between May and June 2018, Michael James Friesen, 33, 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.
On April 24, 2019, Friesen pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to transfer and unlawful possession of a machine gun.
Jordan is awaiting a jury trial scheduled to begin on October 16, 2019.
This case was investigated by the ATF and is being prosecuted by Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Wayne L. Morse Federal Courthouse photo courtesy M.O. Stevens
