A federal court in Brooklyn has unsealed a nine-count superseding indictment against four individuals, including three Staten Island residents and one Florida man. The defendants, Justin Nudelman, Brandon Nudelman, Ronnie Mershon, and Michael Daddea, face charges related to firearms trafficking conspiracy and illegal possession of machine guns. Three of the accused were apprehended this morning. Brandon Nudelman and Mershon are scheduled for arraignment in Brooklyn before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho, while Daddea will appear in federal court in Tampa for removal proceedings to Brooklyn. Justin Nudelman was previously charged with possession of machine guns and unregistered firearms and will be arraigned later.
John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), New York Division; and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the charges.
“The defendants’ use of 3D printers to make untraceable, fully automatic weapons poses an extremely serious threat to public safety,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “My Office and our federal and local partners are working tirelessly to protect our communities by preventing these guns from making their way into the hands of violent criminals.”
Durham also thanked the United States Secret Service and NYPD Intelligence Division’s Major Case Team for their efforts on this case.
“Illegally manufacturing and distributing privately made firearms and machine gun conversion devices is a direct threat to public safety,” stated ATF New York Special Agent in Charge Miller. “This indictment underscores our unwavering commitment to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling the flow of illegal firearms that fuels violence in our communities."
“These individuals thought they could evade law enforcement by using 3D printers to churn out illegal ghost guns," stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. "The NYPD...will not tolerate criminals wreaking havoc in New York City with untraceable deadly weapons.”
According to court documents between January 2023 and September 2023, the defendants allegedly conspired to manufacture firearms illegally using 3D printers. Mershon and Justin Nudelman reportedly assembled "ghost guns" with parts sourced online. These included at least ten devices called "auto sears," which convert semi-automatic guns into fully automatic weapons classified as machine guns under federal law.
The investigation has led to the seizure of 23 firearms so far with indications that more were produced by the defendants without proper licensing or notification to authorities.
Additionally, Justin Nudelman along with his brother Brandon faces charges for conspiracy to obstruct justice after attempting to conceal a phone during a judicially authorized search on September 7th.
All charges remain allegations until proven otherwise; if convicted each defendant could face up to 20 years imprisonment.
Trial Attorney Arun Bodapati leads prosecution efforts assisted by Paralegal Specialist David Harrison.
