Sentencing For Gun-Trafficking From Florida To New Jersey

A Monmouth County, New Jersey ex convict has been sentenced to federal prison for his part with a gun-running operation.

We reported earlier about others involved as gun-runners in this same organization, who were brought to justice by Philip R. Sellinger, United States Attorney for New Jersey.

“As part of a gun-running network, Javier "Broly" Rodriguez-Valpais, 33, of Morganville sold a .223-caliber semi-automatic rifle to a co-defendant, who, in turn, sold it to an FBI cooperator,” said Sellinger.

Rodriguez-Valpais opted against going to trial and instead took a plea deal from the federal government and will have to serve most all of a 5-year sentence.

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Rodriguez-Valpais is now convicted of:

• Gun-trafficking.
• Conspiracy.
• Being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

There is no parole in the federal prison system.

In addition to the 5-year prison sentence, United States District Judge Anne E. Thompson gave Rodriguez-Valpais three years of supervised release parole.

The sentencing took place by a videoconference in Trenton, New Jersey.

This was a successful multi-jurisdictional collaboration.

Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian D. Brater of his Criminal Division in Trenton for their work in securing the conviction.

Sellinger also highlighted the material efforts of the FBI Tampa Division, the ATF (Newark) and Tampa field divisions, along with the Freehold, New Jersey Police Department for their contributions to this successful prosecution.

SOURCE: Phillip R. Sellinger, United States Attorney for New Jersey