WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. — A Hernando County man arrested earlier this year for allegedly threatening to commit a mass shooting on social media is in trouble with the law again. This time, Larry Morelli Jr. faces weapons charges.
- Weapons in home violated risk protection order from earlier case
- Detectives also found marijuana, drug paraphernalia while executing search warrant
- More Hernando County stories
According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, detectives received several anonymous tips between July 31 and Sept. 5 that Morelli, 24, was advertising guns for sale on social media.
During the execution of a search warrant at Morelli's home, authorities found an Eagle Arms AR-15 rifle, a Core 15 AR-15 rifle with scope, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, an F12 magazine-fed 12-gauge shotgun with ammunition, and 412 rounds of various types of ammunition. This violated a risk protection order stemming from the earlier case that prohibited him from buying, selling, or possessing firearms for one year.
"Well, it makes me not feel so safe anymore," said neighbor Betty Carter, who describes the neighborhood as a typically quiet place.
"It's scary because I have my grandkids over here, and it makes me not want to have them over here," said Carter's daughter, Sandra Cromwell, who also lives in the neighborhood.
Detectives also reportedly found marijuana, hashish wax, THP vape pens, steroid vials, suboxone, and a glass pipe and scale with marijuana residue in Morelli's home. He faces five counts each of violation of risk protection order and person engaged in criminal offense/having weapons.
Other charges include possession of hashish with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of controlled substance, and possession of paraphernalia.
Morelli was previously arrested in February for the social media threat.