Luiz Vargas, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, pleaded guilty to transporting a stolen firearm into New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced today. The admission follows an investigation into Vargas's firearm trafficking activities, which included selling weapons stolen from Texas and Colorado.
The investigation, which began in January 2025, involved four controlled purchases by law enforcement, resulting in the seizure of eight firearms: two semiautomatic rifles and six handguns. Two of the handguns were reported stolen, and the rifles lacked serial numbers. Vargas, who never held a federal license to deal firearms, also provided cocaine to a confidential source when a promised firearm sale fell through.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer emphasized the danger posed by such activities, saying, “Trafficking illegal firearms poses a direct threat to the safety of our communities. Vargas admitted to selling firearms, including a handgun stolen out of Texas, for his own profit. This Office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who bring illegal weapons into New Jersey.”
Vargas faces a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2026. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with numerous local and federal agencies, was credited for their role in the investigation.