Bradenton Man Indicted for Possessing Illegal Machine Gun and Firearm as Convicted Felon
A federal grand jury has indicted 44-year-old Edward Anderson of Bradenton on charges of possessing an illegal machine gun and unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Investigators allege Anderson had a Glock pistol that had been illegally modified to operate as a fully automatic weapon by replacing its standard slide cover plate. This change classifies the firearm as a machine gun under federal law. Authorities say Anderson, who has nine prior felony convictions, including two involving firearms, is prohibited from possessing any firearms.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. It is part of several federal initiatives focused on reducing gun violence, including Operation Take Back America, Project Safe Neighborhoods, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF).
If convicted, Anderson faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for possessing a machine gun and up to 15 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The indictment stems from a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Anderson remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.