A federal jury in Brooklyn has convicted Brandon Nudelman of Staten Island on all three counts related to firearms trafficking conspiracy, firearms trafficking, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The charges stem from his involvement in manufacturing and selling untraceable ghost guns in Staten Island and Pennsylvania. The verdict came after a six-day trial before United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly. Nudelman faces up to 30 years in prison when sentenced.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. for the Eastern District of New York announced the verdict along with Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) New York Division, and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
“Brandon Nudelman was the money man behind a ghost gun factory printing lethal weapons in Staten Island,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The defendant and his co-conspirators manufactured and sold guns and converted machineguns at marked up prices to people who should not have them. Law enforcement then thwarted the defendant’s effort to cover up his crimes. Today’s verdict is an important victory in our Office’s work to hold accountable those who seek to profit from the scourge of 3D-printed guns and underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to reducing gun violence.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the United States Secret Service and the NYPD Intelligence Division’s Major Case Team and Intelligence Analytical Team for their work on the case.
“This conviction shows that individuals who finance and support illegal firearms trafficking will be held accountable. The defendant helped facilitate a dangerous scheme involving privately made firearms and machine gun conversion devices, distributing weapons outside lawful channels,” stated ATF New York Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo. “ATF NY remains committed to disrupting illegal firearms trafficking and reducing violent gun crime. Thanks to the collaboration of ATF’s Crime Gun Enforcement Team (C-GET), NYPD Intelligence Division’s Major Case Intelligence Team, the United States Secret Service New York Field Division’s Digital Forensic Laboratory, ATF Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Together, we will continue working to protect the public and keep our communities safe.”
“Today’s guilty verdict is yet another example of how the NYPD is working to remove dangerous weapons from the hands of criminals and keep communities across New York City safe,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “The defendant illegally manufactured and trafficked ghost guns – weapons that are just as dangerous as traditional firearms and only exist to evade law enforcement. NYPD detectives worked tirelessly to investigate and shut this dangerous operation down, and I am grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s office and our other partners for their work on this case.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that between January 2023 and September 2023, Brandon Nudelman conspired with others—including Ronnie Mershon, Michael Daddea, and his brother Justin Nudelman—to manufacture untraceable firearms using Polymer 80 kits, 3D printers, parts bought online, as well as machinegun conversion devices known as auto sears or switches which are considered machine guns under federal law.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Justin Nudelman’s residence on September 7, 2023, recovering homemade firearms, nine switches, 3D printers, over 100 rounds of ammunition, along with videos showing defendants firing modified weapons.
Following this search on September 7th last year, authorities attempted to seize Justin Nudelman’s phone under a judicially authorized warrant; however Brandon Nudelman conspired with him by deleting messages from it and physically damaging it.
All three co-defendants have pleaded guilty: Justin Nudelman admitted guilt for gun trafficking conspiracy as well as conspiracy to obstruct justice; Ronnie Mershon pleaded guilty both for gun trafficking conspiracy as well as unlawful possession of a machinegun; Michael Daddea also pleaded guilty for gun trafficking conspiracy.
This prosecution forms part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together various levels of law enforcement with local communities aiming at reducing violent crime through effective strategies developed by partnerships among federal agencies such as ATF and others.
The General Crimes Section managed this case within an office responsible for prosecuting federal crimes and representing civil matters across Brooklyn—and beyond—including Queens, Staten Island and other areas. The U.S Attorney’s Office maintains locations in Brooklyn & Central Islip as described officially, supporting community outreach efforts throughout its jurisdiction.
Trial Attorney Arun Bodapati alongside Special Assistant U.S Attorney Samuel Rackear led prosecution efforts with paralegal support from David Harrison.
BRANDON NUDELMAN
Age: 33
Staten Island
Co-defendants:
JUSTIN NUDELMAN (31)
RONNIE MERSHON (28)
MICHAEL DADDEA (30), Tampa
E.D.N.Y Docket No.: 23-CR-437(S-2) (AMD)
