Jackson Man Sentenced to Six and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Stolen Firearms

TLS AUDIO Listen to this article Press play to listen Your browser does not support audio playback. A Jackson man was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for the transportation of a stolen firearm, United States Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Luiz Vargas, also known as “El Biggie,” 26, of Jackson, pleaded guilty on May 26, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner to a one-count Information charging him with transportation of a stolen firearm. Judge Castner imposed the 78-month sentence on October 7, 2026, in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, beginning in January 2025, law enforcement investigated Vargas for trafficking firearms into New Jersey from, among other places, Texas and Maryland. Using a confidential source acting at the direction and supervision of law enforcement, officers conducted four controlled purchases of firearms, which yielded a total of eight firearms: two semiautomatic rifles and six handguns. Two of the handguns were reported stolen out of Texas and Colorado, respectively, and the two semiautomatic rifles had no serial numbers or other identifiable markings on them. On at least one occasion, Vargas provided cocaine to the confidential source after being unable to follow through with a promised sale of firearms. Vargas has never held a federal license to deal or manufacture firearms.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Castner sentenced Vargas to three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Newark, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark, and the Howell Township, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Asbury Park, Freehold Borough, Lakewood, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monroe and Wall police departments for their assistance in the investigation.

The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

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