TRENTON – A group of people were charged with buying firearms in Florida and then selling them illegally in Monmouth County, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
A Florida woman would act as the “straw purchaser,” buying firearms in her state, police said. Then, the weapons would be brought to Monmouth County for sale. They didn’t know that their buyer was working with the FBI.
Enrique Quijada, 23, a/k/a “El Enano 13,” a/k/a “Kike,” of Freehold; Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria, 30, a/k/a “Chino,” of Bartow, Florida; Waldin Espinosa-Ozoria, 31, a/k/a “Manin,” of Freehold (brother to Manuel); Javier Rodriguez-Valpais, 31, a/k/a “Broly,” of Morganville, New Jersey; and Jacquelyn Dejesus, 41, of Bartow, Florida, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of unlicensed firearms dealing. Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria and Rodriguez-Valpais are each additionally charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria and Dejesus are also charged with one count of unlawfully selling a firearm to an individual that they knew did not reside in their state of residence, namely Florida.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria and Waldin Espinosa-Ozoria remain at large,
The counts of conspiracy to engage in the business of unlicensed firearms dealing and unlawfully selling a firearm to an unlicensed resident of another state each carry a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., with the investigation leading to the charges and arrest. He also thanked the FBI Tampa Division, the ATF Newark and Tampa Field Divisions, and the Freehold Borough Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.
