A federal jury has convicted Phillip Michael Valeriani of Plant City for possessing cocaine and marijuana with the intent to distribute, as well as firearms offenses. Valeriani was also found guilty before trial of possessing a machinegun, a silencer, and a firearm as a convicted felon. He could face up to 75 years in federal prison. Sentencing is set for December 10, 2025.
During the trial, evidence showed that Valeriani used a fake name to order 63 Glock Switch components from China. The items were hidden inside a toy car box and intercepted at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Law enforcement later searched Valeriani’s home in Plant City, where they found a machinegun, silencer, rifle, various firearm parts, marijuana and crack cocaine intended for distribution, and raid jackets labeled FBI and DEA.
Testimony described Valeriani as an active trafficker of marijuana and cocaine. In February 2024, he was robbed by other drug traffickers at his residence; they stole marijuana prepared for sale, $4,000 in cash, and firearms. On May 12, 2024, authorities reported that Valeriani flew into Tampa International Airport from Medford, Oregon carrying 64 pounds of marijuana across three suitcases. Authorities also confiscated 112 grams of cocaine during an earlier traffic stop.
The investigation involved several agencies including Homeland Security Investigations; Plant City Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Tampa International Airport Police Department; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Adam W. McCall are prosecuting the case.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “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.”
