Michael Jeffrey Rodrigues, 41, has been arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after being found with a loaded semi-automatic rifle at Palm Beach International Airport.
According to the complaint, on August 5, Rodrigues parked a rental car in an employee lot at the airport, where it remained for approximately two hours. During that time, Rodrigues was seen entering and exiting the car multiple times. At one point, Rodrigues walked toward the airport gates carrying a large black case and returned to the car around 7:00 am, still in possession of the case.
Deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office made contact with Rodrigues and observed a set of throwing knives inside the case. A database check revealed that the car had been rented, and Rodrigues stated that his father had rented it. Rodrigues authorized deputies to search the car for the rental agreement. Inside the glove compartment, deputies found a loaded magazine. Next to the glove compartment, concealed under a towel, they found a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P-15 rifle along with two additional magazines.
Rodrigues has prior felony convictions in Martin County, Florida. On June 20, 2022, Rodrigues was convicted in Martin County, Florida of Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Introduction of Contraband into a Correctional Facility—both felony offenses under Florida law.
United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement. FBI Miami and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Marc Osborne is prosecuting the case.
The case is being prosecuted under case number 25-mj-08427. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov. A copy of this press release (and any updates) can also be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
Rodrigues made his initial appearance in federal court today, marking the beginning of the prosecution process. The charges against him are serious, and the investigation is ongoing. As the case unfolds, more information will become available. For now, the focus is on ensuring that justice is served and that public safety is maintained.
RELATED: Brazilian Man Jumps Bail, Flees Custody in Daring Highway Stunt
RELATED: Brazilian Escapes from Feds, Gets 5 Weeks for the Troubles
Related Federal Cases
- Lexington Hostage & Gun Deal: Life Behind Bars? · South Carolina
- Tallahassee Felon Faces Federal Gun Rap · Florida
- Felon Caught with Heat in Tallahassee · Florida
- Felon Packs Heat, Gets 6 Years · Florida
- Glock Run to Canada: 2 Years Behind Bars · Florida
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
