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Assault rifles, handguns, ammunition confiscated from Port St. Lucie felon's home

Posted at 1:09 PM, Nov 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-22 06:13:02-05

Port St. Lucie police arrested a convicted felon and confiscated multiple weapons and ammunition in a raid early Tuesday morning.

Sgt. J. Darin Howie said in a news release that Joshua Peterson, 37, was taken into custody after a raid at a home in the 1600 block of SW Commerce Ave.

Police said the investigation began when ATF received an anonymous tip that Peterson, a convicted felon, displayed a firearm in public. 

Port St. Lucie Police and ATF conducted an unannounced probation check at Peterson's home and found a loaded firearm under his pillow. 

Police said they searched his house throughout the night and also found: 

  • Three loaded assault rifles with high capacity magazines, one of which had an illegally modified short barrel  
  • Three loaded handguns, one of which was stolen out of West Palm Beach  
  • Nearly 2,000 rounds of live ammunition, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. 

Peterson was charged with violation of probation, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a short barrel rifle and grand theft of a firearm. 

He was transported to the St. Lucie County Jail.