Parrish man illegally sold firearms, offered machine gun to felon, prosecutors say
A Parrish man has been arrested on federal charges after prosecutors say he sold firearms and ammunition to a convicted felon while working for a licensed gun dealer.
Frank Jude Petrone Sr., 55, is accused of selling three guns and more than 100 rounds of ammunition to a convicted felon, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced.
Prosecutors say the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office learned about the illegal sales through a confidential informant and then notified the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In three separate purchases over three months, Petrone allegedly sold a confidential source working with law enforcement a .357 Taurus International 605 Poly Protector revolver, a 9mm Sig Sauer M18 semi-automatic pistol and a .45 ISAS 1911A1 semi-automatic pistol, as well as 115 rounds of ammunition, according to an arrest report.
Investigators say Petrone, who works at a gun store in Sarasota, knew the buyer was prohibited from possessing firearms and wouldn’t pass a background check but continued making illegal sales. During one sale, investigators say the confidential informant told Petrone that he was a convicted felon and Petrone allegedly responded by telling him to “wipe off the bullets.”
During the confidential informant’s final purchase, detectives say Petrone offered him a machine gun with a serial number that had either been altered or removed.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested Petrone Tuesday and charged him with trafficking firearms to a convicted felon, according to an arrest report.
The crime is a federal offense that carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison, according to a news release.
