Maryland Man Charged with Trafficking Illegal Firearms into New Jersey

Luiz Vargas, 25, allegedly sold untraceable rifles and stolen handguns in Ocean County through controlled purchases monitored by law enforcement.

NEW JERSEY — A 25-year-old man from Maryland has been arrested and charged with firearms trafficking in connection with the alleged sale of unlicensed and stolen weapons in Ocean County, New Jersey, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Luiz Vargas, also known as “El Biggie,” of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was charged by federal criminal complaint with one count of trafficking in firearms. He appeared for an initial hearing on August 11, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni in Trenton federal court and was ordered detained.

According to court filings and statements made during the proceedings, federal authorities began investigating Vargas in January 2025 for allegedly trafficking firearms from states including Texas and Maryland into New Jersey. The investigation involved the use of a confidential informant who, under the supervision of law enforcement, conducted four controlled firearm purchases from Vargas.

Those operations resulted in the recovery of eight firearms: six handguns and two semiautomatic rifles. Authorities determined that two of the handguns had been reported stolen—one from Texas and one from Colorado. Additionally, both rifles lacked serial numbers or any other identifying features, classifying them as “ghost guns” under federal law.

In one instance, when Vargas was unable to complete a promised firearm sale, he instead supplied the informant with a quantity of cocaine. Investigators confirmed that Vargas has never held a federal license to deal or manufacture firearms.

The charge of firearms trafficking carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The investigation was led by the FBI’s Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, with extensive assistance from local and federal agencies, including:

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark)

• Howell Township Police Department

• Ocean County Sheriff’s Office

• Asbury Park, Freehold Borough, Lakewood, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monroe, and Wall Police Departments

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton is representing the government.

As with all criminal cases, the charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.