Wilmington Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Offense

WILMINGTON, Del. - A Wilmington man with prior felony convictions pleaded guilty on March 3, 2026, to illegally possessing a loaded firearm. Chief U.S. District Judge Colm. F. Connolly accepted the plea.

According to court records, Mustafa Darien Wescott, 24, was approached by Wilmington Police Department officers while walking in Wilmington's Brandywine Village neighborhood on September 29, 2024. After officers instructed him to stop, Wescott fled on foot. During a brief pursuit, Wescott pulled a loaded Ruger EC9S 9mm semi-automatic handgun from his pants pocket and threw it away before surrendering to the police. At the time of the incident, Wescott was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of multiple prior felony convictions.

Wescott pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for July 9, 2026.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wilmington Police Department are investigating the case.

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 are located on the website of the District CourtLinks 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. for the District of Delaware or on PACERLinks 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. by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-116.