NEW BRUNSWICK -- The actor/comedian charged in connection with having a prop airsoft gun without a permit while filming a movie in Woodbridge last year has avoided prison and instead will serve probation.

Carlo Goias, 48, whose stage name is Carlo Bellario, was sentenced to two years probation on Monday in Middlesex County Superior Court as part of a plea deal with the county prosecutor's office, according to his attorney, Jef Henninger.

Goias, of Toms River, faced potentially 15 or even 30 years in prison in connection with possessing the pellet gun while filming a car chase scene in a small, independent film, "Vendetta Games," in November 2015. Goias was playing a bodyguard for a drug dealer and the scene involved him shooting the pellet gun at another vehicle in the area of Bucknell Avenue. The gun, however, was never fired, previous reports said.

"I'm relieved and glad it's behind me," Goias said. "I would have been happier with only a year probation, but I'm glad that in the end, the judge realized that I had no bad intent and that it was a tenuous situation."

He noted the situation has left him "financially distraught" and that he must

"start from scratch both personally and professionally."

Henninger said in an email on Tuesday that he was ultimately happy with the outcome.

The state had originally proposed a three-year prison sentence. However, if Goias had opted to go to trial, which he initially wanted to do, he could have faced up to 30 years in prison because of his past criminal record, which includes six prior convictions in two states, including charges of theft, credit card theft, and burglary, according to court records.

"I don't think people know how a simple mistake can land anyone in hot water," Henninger added.

Under New Jersey law, air guns are considered real firearms, and being caught with one without the proper permits carries a potential prison sentence of three- to-five-years in prison.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.