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Florida Man Faces 75 Years: How a Glock Switch and Drug Trafficking Landed Him in Court

Phillip Valeriani convicted of drug/firearms charges, faces 75 years. Imported gun parts, trafficked drugs. Sentencing Dec 10.

byEditorial Staff

September 16, 2025, 8:06 AM

A person reloading a handgun by inserting a magazine of ammunition into the grip

A close-up of a person's hands reloading a pistol with a magazine, an action associated with illegal firearms. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Phillip Michael Valeriani was convicted by a federal jury in Florida for possessing cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute, compounding a prior adjudication for possessing a machinegun, silencer, and firearm as a convicted felon.

Evidence presented included Valeriani’s importation of 63 Glock Switch components from China, the discovery of a machinegun, silencer, rifle, distribution quantities of drugs, and FBI/DEA raid jackets at his home.

Valeriani faces a maximum sentence of 75 years in federal prison, with his sentencing hearing scheduled for December 10, 2025.

Laws and Precedent

The conviction of Phillip Michael Valeriani on federal charges for possessing cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute, coupled with his earlier adjudication for possessing a machinegun, a silencer, and a firearm as a convicted felon, underscores strict federal laws prohibiting drug trafficking and regulating specific prohibited firearms. His potential maximum sentence of 75 years reflects the severe penalties imposed under federal sentencing guidelines for these combined offenses, especially for a convicted felon found in possession of firearms.

A federal jury in Florida has convicted Phillip Michael Valeriani, a Plant City resident, on charges of possessing cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute. The conviction, announced Monday, September 15, 2025, by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, follows Valeriani’s earlier adjudication of guilt for possessing a machinegun, a silencer, and a firearm as a convicted felon. He now faces a maximum sentence of 75 years in federal prison, with his sentencing hearing scheduled for December 10, 2025.

Evidence Presented at Trial

Trial testimony and evidence revealed that Valeriani imported 63 Glock Switch components from China. These devices, capable of converting semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic machineguns, were ordered under a fictitious name and concealed within a toy car box before being intercepted at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

A subsequent search of Valeriani’s Plant City home uncovered a machinegun, a silencer, a rifle, and numerous additional firearm components. Authorities also found distribution quantities of marijuana and crack cocaine, alongside FBI and DEA raid jackets within the residence.

Drug Trafficking Activities

Further testimony painted Valeriani as an extensive trafficker of marijuana and cocaine. In February 2024, his Plant City home was targeted by other drug traffickers who stole distribution amounts of marijuana, $4,000 in cash, and several firearms.

Valeriani’s illicit activities extended to air travel, as evidenced by his May 12, 2024, flight into Tampa International Airport from Medford, Oregon, carrying 64 pounds of marijuana across three suitcases. Additionally, authorities previously seized 112 grams of cocaine during a traffic stop, for which Valeriani claimed responsibility.

Next Steps

Phillip Michael Valeriani’s conviction marks a significant enforcement action against drug and firearms trafficking. His sentencing on December 10, 2025, will determine the full extent of his prison term for these offenses.