A 34-year-old man was in custody today after Long Beach police said they seized more than 30 firearms, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition and body armor from his home.
Roger Alexander Triplett of Long Beach was arrested Sept. 18 after detectives and a SWAT team served a search warrant at his home in the 100 block of East 23rd Street, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
The search followed an investigation by detectives into the alleged possession and sale of illegal firearms. Detectives believe Triplett — who is barred from owning firearms because of his criminal record — was purchasing parts online, assembling firearms at his home and illegally selling them, police said.
Investigators recovered 17 rifles or shotguns, 15 handguns, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition and body armor, according to the department.
“Through this investigation, detectives recovered numerous weapons that now cannot be used to harm or victimize our community,” Police Chief Wally Hebeish said in a statement.
Triplett was booked on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, importing a short-barreled rifle, illegally possessing an assault weapon, possessing a firearm silencer, selling a large-capacity magazine, selling firearms without a license, criminal storage of firearms, being a violent felon in possession of body armor, child endangerment, and confining an animal without adequate care.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators was urged to contact Societal Crimes Detective Martin Wysoki at 562-570-7221. Anonymous tips can be submitted to LA Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or lacrimestoppers.org.