Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Pernell Dewayne Bodiford, Jr. (24, Jacksonville) with illegally purchasing a firearm by providing a false statement to a federal firearms dealer. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The indictment also notifies Bodiford, Jr. that the United States intends to forfeit the firearms and ammunition traceable to the offense.
According to the indictment, on July 2, 2021, Bodiford, Jr. bought a Glock pistol from Cash City Pawn of Jacksonville by providing false information intended to deceive the dealer. Bodiford, Jr. provided information stating that he was the actual buyer of the Glock pistol when, in fact, he was buying the pistol for someone else that was prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms. Providing false information to a federal firearms dealer is a violation of federal law.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.