Parrish Man Sentenced to Over Three Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Firearms Trafficking
A Parrish man has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison after admitting to trafficking firearms and ammunition to a convicted felon in violation of federal law.
U.S. District Judge William F. Jung sentenced 56-year-old Frank Jude Petrone Sr. to 37 months behind bars following his guilty plea to firearms trafficking charges in August 2025. The case, announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, stems from illegal sales that occurred between October 2024 and January 2025.
According to prosecutors, Petrone conducted four controlled sales on Oct. 17, 2024; Nov. 8, 2024; Jan. 2, 2025; and Jan. 28, 2025. Over the course of those transactions, he sold four firearms and 146 rounds of ammunition to an individual he knew was a convicted felon and therefore prohibited from purchasing or possessing weapons under federal law.
During one of the January transactions, Petrone offered to sell a machine gun with an obliterated serial number before ultimately completing the sale of a CZ Scorpion 9-millimeter pistol loaded with 29 rounds. Because the buyer could not pass a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the transactions were illegal.
The investigation began after the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from a confidential informant regarding suspicious firearm sales. Deputies coordinated with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who then arranged a series of controlled purchases to document the activity.
Authorities said the case highlights the importance of complying with federal firearms laws, particularly the requirement that licensed dealers conduct background checks and prevent sales to prohibited individuals. Federal law strictly prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition and imposes significant penalties on those who knowingly supply them.
The case was investigated by ATF’s Tampa Field Office and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam W. McCall. Officials say the sentencing is part of broader efforts to disrupt illegal gun trafficking and prevent weapons from entering communities through unlawful channels.
