DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Delaware

For Immediate Release

Thursday, January 26, 2023
David C. Weiss
, United States Attorney

New York Man Sentenced on Gun Charges

WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Michael Joseph Wynder, 37, of New York City, was sentenced yesterday to 15 months incarceration for straw purchasing a firearm.  The sentence was imposed in District Court by the Honorable Richard G. Andrews. 

Court filings show that on six occasions, from April through July of 2021, Wynder traveled from New York City, where he was residing, to Delaware and successfully bought a total of 14 handguns and attempted to buy four more.  The law provides that when buying a firearm in Delaware, the purchaser must certify in writing that the purchaser is a Delaware resident.  Wynder unlawfully did that, providing a former New Castle address and producing a Delaware Identification Card with that address.  In fact, Wynder had not lived in Delaware for two years.  Wynder admitted at sentencing that he sold the guns at a profit in New York City. 

U.S. Attorney Weiss said, “Straw purchasing firearms and illegally selling those firearms to individuals who cannot legally purchase a firearm is a threat to public safety. I commend the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their hard work in investigating this case. For anyone considering purchasing a firearm for someone that cannot legally purchase their own firearm, consider the end result in Mr. Wynder’s case – federal prison.”

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edmond Falgowski.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 22-08.

###

Baltimore Field Division