WILMINGTON, Del. – A New York City man is headed to federal prison after admitting to a brazen scheme to illegally acquire firearms in Delaware and funnel them onto the streets of New York. Michael Joseph Wynder, 37, received a 15-month sentence yesterday after pleading guilty to straw purchasing a firearm, a charge that carries significant weight in a region plagued by gun violence.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigation revealed that between April and July of 2021, Wynder made six trips from New York City to Delaware, specifically to purchase handguns. He wasn’t buying for himself. Court filings detail how Wynder successfully purchased 14 firearms and attempted to buy four more, all while falsely claiming Delaware residency.
Wynder’s deception was simple, yet effective. He used a former New Castle address and a Delaware Identification Card bearing that address to falsely certify his residency on the required federal forms. The truth? Wynder hadn’t lived in Delaware for two years. He exploited a loophole, knowingly lying to bypass laws designed to keep guns out of the hands of prohibited individuals.
The scheme wasn’t about collecting firearms; it was about profit. Wynder admitted at sentencing that he resold the guns in New York City, pocketing a profit on each transaction. This blatant disregard for the law demonstrates a willingness to prioritize personal gain over public safety, turning firearms into tools for potential violence.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, David C. Weiss, issued a stark warning: “Straw purchasing firearms and illegally selling those firearms to individuals who cannot legally purchase a firearm is a threat to public safety.” He praised the ATF’s work, emphasizing that anyone considering similar actions will face federal prosecution and, as in Wynder’s case, a prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Edmond Falgowski prosecuted the case. The investigation was spearheaded by the ATF’s Baltimore Field Division. Court documents related to the case, including Case No. 22-08, are available on the District Court of Delaware website and through PACER. The case serves as a reminder that federal agencies are actively working to disrupt the flow of illegal firearms and hold those responsible accountable.
Related Federal Cases
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- Timothy Gregory, Firearms Trafficking, New Haven CT, 2024 · New York
- Michael Q. Fu, Tax Evasion, NJ 2024 · Delaware
- Michael Cozzens, Cocaine Trafficking, NY 2024 · Florida
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