Charles Edward Palmatier, Dealing Firearms Without a License, Florida 2022

LAKE HELEN, FL – Charles Edward Palmatier, 74, of Lake Helen, Florida, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to one year and one day for the brazen act of dealing firearms without a license. U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron handed down the sentence today, following Palmatier’s guilty plea on September 7, 2022.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) first confronted Palmatier on July 28, 2021, informing him that a Federal Firearms License (FFL) was required to legally continue selling weapons. Palmatier ignored the warning and continued his illicit business at the Volusia Flea Market in Deland, Florida. He wasn’t subtle, and it didn’t take long for the ATF, working alongside the Volusia Bureau of Investigation (VBI), to catch on.

From February 2, 2022, through June 8, 2022, agents conducted multiple controlled purchases of firearms directly from Palmatier at the flea market. The investigation revealed a simple motive: pure profit. Palmatier readily admitted to pocketing between $50 and $75 on each firearm he illegally peddled. It wasn’t just about the money, though. Authorities discovered at least two of the guns Palmatier sold ended up being used in separate criminal acts, highlighting the real-world consequences of his reckless actions.

“This wasn’t a one-time mistake,” stated a source within the ATF, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “Palmatier knowingly and repeatedly violated federal law, putting dangerous weapons into the hands of potentially dangerous individuals. He treated the flea market like his own personal gun store, completely disregarding the regulations designed to keep firearms out of the wrong hands.”

Assistant United States Attorney Beatriz Gonzalez prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing. The investigation and prosecution are part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The DOJ launched a renewed violent crime reduction strategy in May 2021, focusing on trust-building, community support, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.

Palmatier’s case serves as a stark reminder that circumventing federal firearms laws carries serious consequences. The Tampa Field Division of the ATF will continue to aggressively pursue those who profit from illegal gun sales, ensuring that those who endanger public safety are held accountable. The Volusia Bureau of Investigation provided crucial assistance throughout the investigation, demonstrating the importance of interagency cooperation in combating crime.

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