Union County Man Found Guilty For Weapons Offenses

ELIZABETH, NJ — A Union County man was found guilty of several weapons offenses, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca, and Elizabeth Police Chief Earl Graves announced Wednesday.

Yasin Villafana, 38, was found guilty of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine, and fourth-degree possession of a prohibited weapon or device, as well as a disorderly persons offense for resisting arrest, before Union County Superior Court Judge Regina Caufield.

The jury deliberated for about two hours before returning its verdict on Jan. 18 following a three-day trial.

On May 5, 2022, Villafana was arrested in Elizabeth for an outstanding warrant. During his arrest, he was found to have an expandable metal baton, and a black semi-automatic handgun loaded with a large capacity magazine, according to Assistant Prosecutor Darrell Coco, who prosecuted the case.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 12 before Caufield, at which time Villafana faces a sentence of up to 20 years in State Prison, with the requirement of serving up to 10 years before the possibility of parole.

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