Shannon T. Hanson Acting United States Attorney for the District of Delaware | U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware
A Wilmington resident, Mustafa Darien Wescott, 24, has pleaded guilty to a federal firearm charge after being found in possession of a loaded handgun despite previous felony convictions. The plea was accepted by Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly on March 3, 2026.
Court documents show that on September 29, 2024, officers from the Wilmington Police Department approached Wescott while he was walking in the Brandywine Village neighborhood. When asked to stop, Wescott ran from police. During the chase, he took a loaded Ruger EC9S 9mm semi-automatic handgun from his pants pocket and discarded it before surrendering to authorities. Due to multiple prior felony convictions, Wescott was legally barred from possessing firearms at the time.
Wescott admitted guilt to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He faces up to 15 years in prison; however, sentences for federal crimes are often less than the maximum allowed by law. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors. Sentencing is set for July 9, 2026.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wilmington Police Department continue to investigate this case.
More information about this case can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware or through PACER by searching Case No. 1:24-cr-116.
