TRENTON — A state Appellate panel today upheld the conviction of a South Plainfield man in a gun case, saying the defendant did not have the right to argue he was unaware of his own criminal history.

Steven Toth was convicted of several weapons charges in the case, including a count for possessing a firearm while having a felony record.

In his appeal, he said he had no idea he was previously convicted — he thought it had been vacated. He said he should have been able to argue that to a jury. The two-judge appeals court panel refused to reverse his conviction.

In May 2009, Toth, then 37, recently fired from his construction job amid allegations of theft, was hunting for new employment, the decision says. He left his South Plainfield house, where he lived with his wife and two kids, and went to nearby contractors office. Workers there turned him away, according to court papers.

He returned a short time later dressed in a camouflage jacket and carrying an AR-15 assault rifle on his shoulder, court papers say. He was persuaded to leave and later arrested. Officers found dozens of weapons — including a machine gun — along with thousands of rounds of ammunition in Toth’s house, according to the court papers.

He pleaded guilty in 2011 after a Superior Court judge denied his motions. He was sentenced to 7 years in prison, where he remains.

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