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A Richmond man — described as “an experienced gun trafficker” and convicted of selling 39 firearms to a federal undercover investigator — was sentenced Monday to five years in prison.

Brian Anthony Samuels, 21, pleaded guilty in March to the unlicensed sale of dozens of firearms to another unlicensed person who was out of state or whom Samuels believed was out of state from last August to January.

Prosecutors sought a term of five years while Samuels’ lawyer asked U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. to impose a term of 30 months.

In a sentencing memorandum to Gibney, the U.S. attorney’s office wrote that Samuels “was so thoroughly engaged in this business that he is responsible for trafficking approximately 50 firearms, just in dealing with the undercover agent in this case.”

The weapons were sold over a four-month period last year.

An affidavit filed in the case by an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alleged that firearms were purchased from Samuels or an associate with more than $25,000 in government money.

The weapons included handguns, an assault-style rifle and a pistol-grip shotgun. A search of his home turned up 14 more firearms.