Man Charged With Possession Of Machine Gun On New York Street
David Maldonado was charged with possession of a machine gun and ammunition after felony conviction following a Bronx shooting involving a converted ghost gun.
David Maldonado, 53, faces charges for possession of a machine gun and possession of ammunition after a felony conviction. The indictment alleges he fired 12 rounds from a converted Polymer 80 ghost gun on a Bronx street, striking a vehicle. He faces a maximum potential sentence of 15 years for the ammunition charge and 10 years for the machine gun charge.
David Maldonado, a 53-year-old New York resident with prior felony convictions, was charged following a November 14, 2025, shooting in the Bronx. During the incident, Maldonado allegedly used a semi-automatic Polymer 80 PF940C 'ghost gun' equipped with an illegal conversion device to fire 12 rounds on a public street. Two of the shots struck a nearby vehicle, prompting a swift response from NYPD detectives who apprehended him. Maldonado is charged with one count of possession of a machine gun and one count of possession of ammunition after felony conviction. These charges carry maximum potential sentences of 10 years and 15 years in prison, respectively. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the ATF, NYPD, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
Exhibits & Attached Documents (1)
Extracted insights
- person bryan digirolamo
- person david maldonado
- person Jay Clayton
- person Jessica S. Tisch
- person multiple felony offenses
- person shooting incident
- David Maldonado charged with possession of machine gun
- David Maldonado charged with possession of ammunition after felony conviction
- David Maldonado discharged machine gun on November 14, 2025 in the Bronx
- David Maldonado fired 12 rounds from machine gun on public street in the Bronx
- David Maldonado was arrested December 16, 2025
- David Maldonado presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Stein
- Jay Clayton is United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York
- Bryan DiGirolamo is Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the ATF
- Jessica S. Tisch is Commissioner of the New York City Police Department
- David Maldonado was in possession of unserialized Polymer 80 model PF940C 9x19mm caliber firearm
- David Maldonado used semi-automatic handgun with illegal machine gun conversion device
- possession of machine gun carries maximum sentence of 10 years in prison
- possession of ammunition after felony conviction carries maximum sentence of 15 years in prison
- David Maldonado is 53 years old
- David Maldonado is from New York, New York
- Shooting incident occurred on November 14, 2025 at approximately 4:00 p.m.
- Shooting incident occurred at East 170th Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx
- David Maldonado has been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses
- Case assigned to U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff
Press Release Man Charged With Possession Of Machine Gun On New York Street Tuesday, December 16, 2025 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), Bryan DiGirolamo, and Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging DAVID MALDONADO in connection with a November 14, 2025, daytime shooting in which MALDONADO fired 12 rounds from a machine gun on a public street in the Bronx. MALDONADO was arrested and presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Stein. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff."As alleged, David Maldonado used a machine gun conversion device to spray bullets on a Bronx street,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “New Yorkers want brazen, gun toting criminals off our streets and we hear them. Thanks to the prompt response of our law enforcement partners, Maldonado will now have to answer for his alleged crimes.”“The ATF/NYPD Crime Gun Enforcement Team is committed to keeping illegal machine guns out of the hands of criminals and away from our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo. “We thank the New York City Police Department and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their continued partnership in keeping the public safe.”“David Maldonado allegedly put New Yorkers at serious risk when he fired a fully automatic ghost gun in broad daylight on a public street, while NYPD detectives were nearby,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Our detectives did exactly what they do best—they ran toward the danger, moved quickly to stop the threat, and our streets are safer because of their actions. I thank the NYPD investigators, our partners at the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their continued work to hold violent offenders accountable.”As alleged in the Indictment, and in public statements made in public court proceedings:[1]On or about November 14, 2025, at around 4:00 p.m., MALDONADO, who has been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, discharged a machine gun in the vicinity of East 170th Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx, including two shots that struck a nearby vehicle. Detectives of the NYPD, who were in the vicinity of the gunshots, spotted and promptly apprehended MALDONADO, who was in possession of an unserialized Polymer 80, model PF940C, 9x19mm caliber firearm, also known as a “ghost gun.” During the shooting, MALDONADO used a semi-automatic handgun with an illegal machine gun conversion device installed, which converted his firearm into a fully automatic machine gun capable of shooting more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger. Photographs of the firearm and magazine seized from MALDONADO and the conversion device that was installed on the pistol slide are below: * * *MALDONADO, 53, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of possession of ammunition after felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; and one count of possession of a machine gun, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and the ATF.This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Organizations & Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon D. Harper is in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. Contact Nicholas Biase, Shelby Wratchford(212) 637-2600 Updated December 16, 2025 Attachment u.s._v._maldonado_indictment.pdf [PDF, 374 KB] Topic Violent Crime Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 25-269
Press Release Man Charged With Possession Of Machine Gun On New York Street Tuesday, December 16, 2025 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), Bryan DiGirolamo, and Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging DAVID MALDONADO in connection with a November 14, 2025, daytime shooting in which MALDONADO fired 12 rounds from a machine gun on a public street in the Bronx. MALDONADO was arrested and presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Stein. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff."As alleged, David Maldonado used a machine gun conversion device to spray bullets on a Bronx street,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “New Yorkers want brazen, gun toting criminals off our streets and we hear them. Thanks to the prompt response of our law enforcement partners, Maldonado will now have to answer for his alleged crimes.”“The ATF/NYPD Crime Gun Enforcement Team is committed to keeping illegal machine guns out of the hands of criminals and away from our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo. “We thank the New York City Police Department and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their continued partnership in keeping the public safe.”“David Maldonado allegedly put New Yorkers at serious risk when he fired a fully automatic ghost gun in broad daylight on a public street, while NYPD detectives were nearby,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Our detectives did exactly what they do best—they ran toward the danger, moved quickly to stop the threat, and our streets are safer because of their actions. I thank the NYPD investigators, our partners at the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their continued work to hold violent offenders accountable.”As alleged in the Indictment, and in public statements made in public court proceedings:[1]On or about November 14, 2025, at around 4:00 p.m., MALDONADO, who has been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, discharged a machine gun in the vicinity of East 170th Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx, including two shots that struck a nearby vehicle. Detectives of the NYPD, who were in the vicinity of the gunshots, spotted and promptly apprehended MALDONADO, who was in possession of an unserialized Polymer 80, model PF940C, 9x19mm caliber firearm, also known as a “ghost gun.” During the shooting, MALDONADO used a semi-automatic handgun with an illegal machine gun conversion device installed, which converted his firearm into a fully automatic machine gun capable of shooting more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger. Photographs of the firearm and magazine seized from MALDONADO and the conversion device that was installed on the pistol slide are below: * * *MALDONADO, 53, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of possession of ammunition after felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; and one count of possession of a machine gun, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and the ATF.This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Organizations & Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon D. Harper is in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. Contact Nicholas Biase, Shelby Wratchford(212) 637-2600 Updated December 16, 2025 Attachment u.s._v._maldonado_indictment.pdf [PDF, 374 KB] Topic Violent Crime Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 25-269