Broome County Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Offense

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK - Bryan Nixon, age 32, of Endicott, New York pled guilty on July 27, 2026, in Syracuse, New York to possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Bryan DiGirolamo and Vestal Police Department Chief of Police Vince Stavola, made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Nixon admitted that he possessed a loaded handgun in February of 2025 during a vehicle stop by police, subsequently fled, disassembled the handgun during his flight and ultimately struck another vehicle before exiting the roadway and throwing parts of the disassembled firearm into a wooded area. At the time of this offense, Nixon was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law because he had been previously convicted of a felony for attempted robbery.

When he is sentenced by Hon. Brenda K. Sannes on November 24, 2026, Nixon faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

"As alleged, Nixon knowingly possessed a firearm illegally as a previously convicted felon, and when stopped by police, fled in an attempt to evade arrest and discard the firearm," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone. "This Administration is committed to cracking down on repeat offenders, and with the help of our partners at the Vestal Police Department and ATF, defendants like Nixon should be on notice: repeat violent offenders carrying deadly weapons will be caught and will be prosecuted."

Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division ATF Bryan DiGirolamo said, "Convicted felons who choose to illegally possess firearms put our communities at risk and will be held accountable. This guilty plea demonstrates the value of the close partnership between ATF, the Vestal Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York. Together, we will continue working to reduce violent crime."

Vestal Police Department Chief of Police Vince Stavola said, "This incident is a prime example of why we continue to work closely with our federal partners to make sure violent offenders are held accountable. Nixon entered the Town of Vestal and put the lives of our residents, motorists, and police officers at risk without hesitation or regard for the consequences of his actions. That was clear when he illegally carried a firearm into our town, menaced a police officer, and fled from a lawful traffic stop, ultimately striking another motorist. Nixon knew what he was doing was illegal, evident by the fact that he tried to destroy evidence by dismantling and concealing the firearm. Thankfully, our federal partners were able to take action stemming from this incident, now he faces up to 15 years in federal prison."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Vestal Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Grabowski is prosecuting the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.