Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Wharton Borough Chief of Police David Young announce the guilty plea of Antony S. Rodriguez-Santana, age 30, of Camden, New Jersey, on charges of unlawfully selling firearms on two dates.
Rodriguez-Santana was arrested on August 23, 2021, and charged with second degree Unlawful Possession of an Assault Firearm, two counts of second degree Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons, fourth degree Unlawful Sale of a Firearm, second degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, fourth degree Possession of a Defaced Firearm, and fourth degree Unlawful Sale of a Defaced Firearm. The sales involved a Smith & Wesson MP .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle, a defaced Raven Arms model P25 .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol, hollow point bullets and a large capacity magazine, and transpired on June 26, 2020, and September 18, 2020, in Wharton.
On September 12, 2023, Rodriguez-Santana entered a guilty plea to second degree certain persons not to have weapons or ammunition. The Honorable Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C. presided over the guilty plea. The State will recommend that Rodriguez-Santana be sentenced to ten (10) years in New Jersey State Prison with a five (5) year parole disqualifier.
In pleading guilty, Rodriguez-Santana admitted to possessing an assault firearm while previously being convicted of aggravated assault.
Rodriguez-Santana continues to be lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility. Sentencing has been scheduled for October 13, 2023, before the Honorable Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C. The State is represented by Assistant Prosecutor Noelle V. Fiorentino in this matter.
Prosecutor Carroll wishes to thank the following agencies for their assistance and commitment to the Task Force: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit, Town of Boonton Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Morristown Bureau of Police, Wharton Police Department, Roxbury Police Department, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
