Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

PORTLAND, Ore. — A Salem man previously convicted at trial was sentenced to federal prison Monday for illegally transferring a machine gun.

Daniel Matthew Kittson, 61, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in December 2019, a special agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives learned that Kittson was attempting to sell a Russian PPSh-41, a machine gun capable of firing approximately 900 rounds per minute. Investigators learned that he had prior felony convictions for attempted murder, first degree manslaughter and felon in possession of a weapon, making it illegal for him to possess any type of firearm.

In early January 2020, investigators communicated with Kittson on two separate occasions to arrange a controlled purchase of the machine gun and, on January 10, 2020, completed the transaction. Following their purchase, investigators tested the firearm and confirmed that it was indeed a functional machine gun.

On March 9, 2021, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Kittson with illegally possessing and transferring a machine gun and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

On May 28, 2021, Kittson was arrested without incident by the U.S. Marshals Service and was released following his first appearance in federal court. In June 2022, Kittson absconded his pretrial supervision. Three months later, on Sept. 27, 2022, he was located and arrested in Crook County in possession of a firearm and small quantities of methamphetamine and heroin.

On Aug. 24, a jury found Kittson guilty of illegally transferring a machinegun.

This case was investigated by ATF. It was prosecuted by Leah Bolstad and Nicole Bockelman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

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