Gloversville Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms and Pipe Bomb Charges

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael Darling, age 42, of Gloversville, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing firearms as a felon and unlawful possession of six pipe bombs.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Darling was arrested on February 14, 2021, after police had been called to his residence to conduct a welfare check.  Police seized six operable pipe bombs from the home.  At the time of his arrest, police also recovered two firearms and ammunition, which Darling was prohibited from possessing as a result of a felony burglary conviction.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for February 4, 2022 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, at which time Darling faces up to 10 years in prison, as well as a fine up to $250,000, and post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on a particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.  Darling has been in custody since his arrest.

The case was investigated by the Gloversville Police Department, the New York State Police, ATF, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert A. Sharpe.