A federal jury in Brooklyn has convicted Brandon Nudelman, 33, of Staten Island on charges related to firearms trafficking conspiracy, firearms trafficking, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The case centers on the manufacture and sale of untraceable "ghost guns" in Staten Island and Pennsylvania. The verdict followed a six-day trial before United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly. Nudelman faces up to 30 years in prison at sentencing.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., for the Eastern District of New York, announced the verdict along with officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and 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.”
Nocella also thanked the United States Secret Service and NYPD Intelligence Division teams for their work on this 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 Bryan 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.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: “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. 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 during trial showed that between January 2023 and September 2023, Nudelman conspired with others—including his brother Justin Nudelman—to assemble privately made firearms using Polymer 80 kits, 3D printers, parts sourced online, as well as machinegun conversion devices known as “auto sears” or “switches.” These devices convert semi-automatic guns into fully automatic weapons classified under federal law as machineguns.
On September 7, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Justin Nudelman's residence recovering multiple homemade firearms, nine switches used for converting guns into fully automatic mode, several 3D printers used in production processes, over one hundred rounds of ammunition—and videos showing firing tests conducted by defendants.
Following this search warrant execution date—September 7—Brandon Nudelman worked with his brother Justin attempting concealment efforts regarding Justin's phone by deleting messages or physically damaging it so authorities could not access digital evidence.
All three co-defendants have pleaded guilty: Justin Nudelman admitted guilt on gun trafficking conspiracy/obstruction charges; Ronnie Mershon pleaded guilty both for conspiracy/illegal possession; Michael Daddea also entered a plea deal relating solely toward trafficking conspiracy.
This prosecution forms part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative coordinating all levels of law enforcement with community partners aiming at reducing violent crime through locally tailored strategies involving agencies such as SCPD (Suffolk County Police Department), NYPD (New York City Police Department), FBI (Federal Bureau Investigation), ATF (Bureau Alcohol Tobacco Firearms Explosives), Homeland Security Investigations—among others—in conjunction with local communities throughout Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island/Nassau/Suffolk Counties.
The General Crimes Section within U.S Attorney's Office led this prosecution team including Trial Attorney Arun Bodapati/Special Assistant U.S Attorney Samuel Rackear/paralegal David Harrison.
According to its official website, the U.S. Attorney for Eastern District covers federal prosecutions/civil matters representation across Brooklyn/Central Islip offices spanning Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island/Nassau/Suffolk counties; supports community outreach/victim assistance efforts; serves as designated federal prosecutor's office for these areas; currently led by Breon Peace.
