TRENTON – A Jackson Township man has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison after investigators linked him to the sale of multiple firearms, including stolen handguns and rifles without serial numbers, federal authorities announced.
Luiz Vargas, 26, also known as “El Biggie,” was sentenced October 7 to 78 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton, according to U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
Vargas previously pleaded guilty May 26 to a federal charge of transporting a stolen firearm.
Federal investigators began looking into Vargas in January 2025 after receiving information about firearms being brought into New Jersey from other states, including Texas and Maryland.
As part of the investigation, authorities used a confidential informant to arrange four undercover gun purchases from Vargas. Those transactions resulted in the recovery of eight firearms, including six handguns and two semiautomatic rifles.
Investigators determined that two of the handguns had been reported stolen in Texas and Colorado. Both rifles lacked serial numbers or other identifying markings, making them difficult for law enforcement to trace.
Federal prosecutors also revealed that Vargas supplied cocaine to the confidential informant during one encounter after failing to complete an anticipated firearms transaction.
Authorities said Vargas was never federally licensed to sell or manufacture firearms.
In addition to his prison sentence, Vargas will serve three years of supervised release following his release from federal custody.
The investigation was led by the FBI with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and numerous law enforcement agencies throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties.
Among the departments assisting were the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and police departments in Howell, Lakewood, Asbury Park, Freehold Borough, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monroe and Wall.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick prosecuted the case for the federal government.
