Danny Aument, Unlawful Possession of Machinegun and Possession of Unregistered Silencer, Delaware 2023

SMYRNA, DE – Danny Aument, 48, is headed to federal prison for 30 months after pleading guilty to possessing a cache of illegal weapons. The Smyrna man was sentenced earlier this week by U.S. District Judge Gregory B. Williams, who clearly signaled the severity of Aument’s actions and the need to deter similar conduct.

Federal agents executing a search warrant at Aument’s residence on August 24, 2022, uncovered a disturbing stockpile: ten machineguns and eight homemade silencers. Court documents reveal Aument had been amassing the arsenal over several years, a period coinciding with his documented struggle with controlled substance addiction. The weapons were seized as evidence.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, building a case against Aument for one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun and one count of possession of an unregistered silencer. Despite knowing these firearms were either outright prohibited or subject to strict regulations, Aument continued to obtain and manufacture the machineguns and failed to register the silencers with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, a clear violation of federal law.

“The laws regulating the possession of firearms are designed to protect the public,” stated U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss for the District of Delaware. “My office will continue to pursue charges against those who unlawfully possess highly dangerous weapons or fail to register those firearms.” This case underscores the ATF’s commitment to cracking down on illegal weapons trafficking and ensuring public safety.

Judge Williams, in handing down the 30-month sentence, emphasized the seriousness of Aument’s behavior. The judge hopes the penalty will act as a strong deterrent to others contemplating similar violations of firearms regulations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith C. Ruggles.

Aument’s case number is 1:23-CR-06 in the District Court for the District of Delaware, and related court documents are available on PACER. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware also has a copy of the initial press release available on its website. The ATF’s Baltimore Field Division handled the investigation, further demonstrating the agency’s regional focus on combating illegal firearms activity.

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