32 Guns, 2,000 Rounds Seized From Long Beach Home

LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach police seized 32 firearms, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition and body armor from the home of a man suspected of illegally finishing and selling guns, authorities announced Thursday.

Roger Alexander Triplett, 34, of Long Beach was arrested Sept. 18 after detectives, officers and members of the Long Beach Police Department SWAT Team served a search warrant at his residence in the 100 block of East 23rd Street, according to the Long Beach Police Department.

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The search stemmed from an investigation by LBPD's Societal Crimes detectives into illegal firearm possession and sales. Police said investigators identified Triplett as a suspect and obtained a warrant for his home.

Detectives believe Triplett was buying firearm parts online, finishing the weapons at his residence and illegally selling them, according to police. During the search, investigators recovered 17 rifles or shotguns and 15 handguns, along with more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition and body armor, police said.

"The arrest of this individual and the recovery of over thirty firearms is a reminder of the important work our LBPD specialized units are able to do," Police Chief Wally Hebeish said in a statement. "Through this investigation, detectives recovered numerous weapons that now cannot be used to harm or victimize our community."

Triplett was booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, importing a short-barreled rifle, illegal possession of an assault weapon, possession of a firearm silencer, selling a large-capacity magazine and selling firearms without a license, according to police.

He was also booked on suspicion of criminal storage of a firearm, being a violent felon in possession of body armor, child endangerment and confining an animal without adequate care.

Police did not provide further details about the child endangerment or animal-care allegations. Triplett was being held without bail, according to LBPD.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information was asked to contact LBPD Societal Crimes Detective Martin Wysoki at 562-570-7221. Anonymous tips can be submitted through LA Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477).