District Attorney Jim Farrell announced that Christopher Rubio, 27, of Swan Lake, N.Y. was sentenced on December 19, 2013, in Sullivan County Court to 10 years in state prison and 5 years of post release supervision for convictions of Burglary in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, both class C violent felonies by County Judge Frank LaBuda.

Farrell said that Rubio admitted to burglarizing a home on Barton Road in the Town of Liberty in January of 2013 and stealing five lawfully possessed handguns from a gun safe inside. Rubio was arrested after an investigation by the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Village of Liberty Police, Detective Division. One of the stolen handguns was recovered as a result of the investigation and the other four are still being sought by police.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Rubio faced a minimum of 7 years in state prison up to a maximum of 12 years in prison and Farrell said that his office recommended the maximum of 12 years in state prison with 5 years of post release supervision.

Farrell praised the joint investigation of the two police agencies, “This investigation was led by members of the New York State Police BCI and was assisted by the Liberty Police Detective Division and their joint efforts resulted in the recovery of one of the stolen handguns and the removal of a burglar from the community for an extended period of time. This was an excellent example of teamwork in law enforcement. We will continue our efforts to ensure that those who burglarize homes are held to account and are sentenced to state prison terms.”