Four defendants sentenced in Coos County burglary and gun trafficking investigation
COOS COUNTY, Ore. — The final defendant in a federal firearms trafficking case tied to a series of burglaries at a Coos County home has been sentenced to prison, federal prosecutors announced.
Daniel Knapp, 58, of Port Orford, was sentenced Friday to 24 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
His sentencing concludes the federal cases against four defendants accused of stealing cash, precious metals and dozens of firearms during burglaries of the same Coos County residence in late 2023.
According to court documents, Matthew Knapp, Daniel Knapp and William Travis Cutlip broke into a vault at the home on Dec. 19, 2023, stealing approximately $1 million in cash, gold, silver coins and at least one firearm. Investigators later determined Matthew Knapp, who is prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction, was seen with one of the stolen pistols after the burglary.
Federal investigators said Vanalstine returned to the same residence on Dec. 23, 2023, and stole about 40 additional firearms, including assault rifles, pistols and at least one silencer. Prosecutors said many of the stolen guns were transferred to Cutlip, and several were later recovered in California.
Authorities arrested Vanalstine on Jan. 5, 2024, after stopping his vehicle in Curry County. Investigators said they found more than one kilogram of methamphetamine, drug scales and a loaded pistol inside the vehicle. Vanalstine was later convicted in state court for the burglary and an unrelated drug possession case.
Four days later, investigators searched Cutlip's Port Orford residence and recovered a stolen silencer and several assault rifles connected to the burglary. During a separate search at Daniel Knapp's home in January 2024, authorities found a .22-caliber revolver. Although the firearm was not connected to the burglary, prosecutors said Daniel Knapp was prohibited from possessing it because of a prior felony conviction.
The defendants received the following federal sentences:
- Daniel Knapp: 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
- William Travis Cutlip, 41, of Port Orford: 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to traffic firearms.
- Kyle Vanalstine, 31, of Bandon: 77 months in prison and five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to trafficking firearms and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Matthew Knapp, 48, of Ashland: Five years of probation after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced the sentencings.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the South Coos Interagency Narcotics Team, the Coos County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Police, with assistance from several local and tribal law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Sweet prosecuted the case.