Michael John Pellicione, a 76-year-old firearms dealer from Port St. Lucie, Florida, has pleaded guilty to a five-count indictment related to improper record-keeping of gun sales. The case involves Pellicione's failure to log the sale of five firearms into his acquisition and disposition records, as required by federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(5). This statute mandates that federal firearms licensees must maintain detailed records of all firearm transactions.
Pellicione conducted his business out of his home and neglected to document key information about the firearms sold or transferred, including details such as type, make, model, caliber, serial number, and transaction dates. These regulations are intended to track whether firearms remain in inventory or have been transferred.
The announcement was made by Markenzy Lapointe, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami; and Christopher A. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division.
Investigations were carried out by HSI Fort Pierce and ATF Fort Pierce. The prosecution is being handled by Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger.
A sentencing date for Pellicione has not yet been determined. He faces up to five years in prison upon sentencing by a federal district court judge who will consider various guidelines and statutory factors.
Further details regarding the case can be accessed through the District Court for the Southern District of Florida's website or PACER under case number 24-cr-14055.