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An anonymous tip saying that a convicted felon was trying to sell weapons, including a rocket launcher, prompted an investigation by authorities in Polk County.

According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, detectives found a possibly functional rocket launcher, a fake rocket projectile, a military shipping tube and a .22-caliber bolt-action rifle with a silencer in the trunk of a 1979 Buick belonging to Hiram Melvin.

The Sheriff’s Office is sending the rocket launcher to a lab to see if it has been fired or can possibly be fired.

Authorities said Melvin admitted that the weapons were his, but refused to say what he planned to use them for.

Authorities contacted Melvin at his job at Aamco Transmission Shop at 1301 West Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland. Detectives said Melvin gave them permission to search the vehicle.

Melvin was arrested and charged with possession of a hoax weapon of mass destruction, felon in possession of firearm, felon in possession of class 3 device (silencer) and violation of probation.

Authorities with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the State’s Fire Marshal’s Office and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were at the scene and are are assisting in the investigation.

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