Man "Ripped Off" By Drug Dealer Points Gun At Deputy

New Smyrna Beach, FL - A man who claims he was ripped off by a drug dealer ends up pointing a gun at a Volusia County deputy.

Last Friday (March 8th), Volusia County Sheriff's Office received a call regarding a disturbance near a residence off of Tatum Boulevard.

There, they met with one of the witnesses, who said she watched her neighbor, 58-year-old Michael Ferranda, arguing with someone in a blue sedan in the driveway of his home.

She told deputies that Ferranda started to shout obscenities at the driver before they began to back out of the driveway. That's when, according to the witness, Ferranda pulled out a revolver and fired one or two shots at the vehicle as they drove away.

One deputy went to Ferranda's residence across the street, to question him about the incident.

When the deputy arrived, Ferranda answered the door armed with a revolver, which he pointed at the deputy.

"You put that gun away or I'm going to shoot you right now," the deputy said to Ferranda as he aimed his own weapon.

When other deputies arrived, Ferranda told them that he was buying crack cocaine from the subject in the blue sedan when they tried to "rip him off."

He said when they started to leave, he fired a shot into the air.

A quick search of his criminal history found that Ferranda had two prior felony convictions and should not have been in possession of the revolver.

Eventually, Ferranda became frustrated and began to yell. He tried to close the door on the deputies after being asked not to.

After being apprehended, deputies found that Ferranda was in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, six counts of possession of ammunition by a felon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in public.

According to jail records, Ferranda was booked at Volusia County Jail, but is no longer in custody.