Tracy J. Chappelle 
An ex-convict from Monmouth County, New Jersey, has been sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in a gun smuggling operation.
We reported earlier on other people implicated as arms traffickers in this same organization, who were brought to justice by Philip R. Sellinger, United States Attorney for New Jersey.
“As part of an arms trafficking ring, 33-year-old Javier “Broly” Rodriguez-Valpais of Morganville sold a .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle to a co-defendant, who in turn sold it to an FBI cooperator,” Sellinger said.
Rodriguez-Valpais chose not to stand trial and instead entered into a plea deal with the feds and will have to serve almost all of a 5-year sentence.
Rodriguez-Valpais is now sentenced for:
- Arms 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 granted Rodriguez-Valpais three years of supervised parole.
The sentencing took place by videoconference in Trenton, New Jersey.
This is a successful multi-jurisdictional collaboration.
Sellinger credited FBI Special Agents 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 acknowledged the material efforts of the FBI Tampa Division, the ATF (Newark) and Tampa Field Divisions, and the Freehold, New Jersey Police Department for their contributions to this successful prosecution.
THE SOURCE: Phillip R. Sellinger, United States Attorney for New Jersey
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