Matthew Pellerito, a 49-year-old resident of Wewahitchka, Florida, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and carrying a firearm without written notice. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated, “I applaud the excellent coordination of our state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies in their detection and investigation of these crimes. My office is committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who unlawfully possess weapons or ammunition.”
According to court documents, on September 5, 2024, Pellerito was preparing to board a commercial flight in Panama City, Florida when his checked luggage was flagged by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). TSA officers found an undeclared firearm and a box containing 50 rounds of ammunition inside his luggage. Pellerito told authorities he was traveling to Oregon for a camping trip and had forgotten to declare the firearm with the airline. Further investigation revealed that Pellerito is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Pellerito’s sentencing is set before United States District Judge Mark Walker on September 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in Tallahassee. He faces up to fifteen years in prison for the firearm and ammunition charge and up to five years for carrying a firearm without written notice.
The case was investigated by several agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Transportation Security Administration; Panama City Airport Police Department; and Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo is prosecuting.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), which brings together resources from the Department of Justice with initiatives like Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) to address illegal immigration issues, combat transnational criminal organizations, and reduce violent crime nationwide.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 principal litigating offices under direction from the Attorney General. Public court documents can be accessed through the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. More information about this office is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
