Man sentenced after selling fully automatic machine gun to undercover agent

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A Colorado man was sentenced to 120 months in prison for selling a fully automatic weapon to a Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agent who was working undercover.

According to court documents, Kyle Simmonds, 35, of Fort Morgan, Colorado, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal possession of a machine gun.

In August 2025, the KBI began investigating Simmonds on suspicion of distributing narcotics and firearms. During a text message exchange with an undercover agent, Simmonds discussed selling an illegal machine gun and sent photos of a firearm. Simmonds and co-defendant Damien Zamora then traveled from Colorado to Decatur County, Kansas, to meet with the undercover agent. The agent saw a Heckler & Koch, model MP7 A2, 4.6x30 caliber machine gun in their vehicle which the agent recognized from the photos Simmonds sent.

Zamora confirmed the firearm was fully automatic and that he builds these guns. Simmonds told the agent it was illegal to own this weapon. The agent gave Simmonds money for the firearm and for narcotics.

Zamora pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a machine gun and is awaiting sentencing.

"Make no mistake. I am a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment," said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. "However, because I understand the damage these weapons can inflict, I know that guns, particularly automatic weapons, and selling drugs do not mix well. We will hold anyone selling illegal firearms accountable. These criminals have no regard for the possible loss of life when cavalierly selling fully automatic weapons to whoever is willing to pay their prices."

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler prosecuted the case.

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