DeBary Gun Runner Brooke Admits Illegal Firearm Dealing

ORLANDO, FL – Brandon Eugene Brooke, 30, of DeBary, Florida, is facing serious time after admitting to running a shadow firearms operation. The United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced today that Brooke pleaded guilty to dealing in firearms without a license, a federal offense carrying a maximum sentence of five years in the slammer. A court date for sentencing hasn’t been set yet, but the feds are building a solid case.

According to court documents, Brooke wasn’t just casually collecting guns. Between April 14 and October 10, 2022, he snapped up a staggering 69 firearms. The sheer volume, and the fact that many were the same or similar models purchased in quick succession, raised immediate red flags. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) started digging, and they quickly uncovered a pattern of buying and reselling.

On October 13, 2022, ATF agents hauled Brooke in for questioning about his repeated purchases from licensed dealers (FFLs). A deep dive into his phone revealed damning evidence – proof he was actively dealing firearms. Even after being warned, Brooke didn’t stop. Agents slapped him with a “Warning Notice of Unlicensed Firearms Dealing in Violation of Federal Law,” explicitly stating his actions were illegal. He signed it, acknowledging he understood the gravity of the situation.

But the warning did nothing to deter Brooke. He brazenly continued to purchase firearms and then flip them to third parties, flagrantly violating federal law. It’s a pattern of disregard for the law that prosecutors are likely to highlight during sentencing. The feds aren’t messing around with illegal gun trafficking, and Brooke’s actions have consequences.

The investigation was spearheaded by the ATF, with Assistant United States Attorneys Michael P. Felicetta and Noah P. Dorman handling the prosecution. This case isn’t an isolated incident; it’s part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a comprehensive initiative aimed at curbing violent crime and gun violence across the nation. PSN focuses on strengthening community trust, supporting local organizations, and strategic enforcement.

The DOJ launched a revamped PSN strategy in May 2021, emphasizing focused enforcement priorities and measurable results. Brooke’s case serves as a stark reminder that those who attempt to profit from illegal gun sales will be targeted, investigated, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The streets of DeBary – and beyond – are a little safer with this operator off the books.