Eric Valentin, the Nashua man known by his gang name “Jefe,” is headed to federal prison after he was sentenced in the U.S. District Court in Boston on a federal gun trafficking conviction.

Valentin, 22, is a reputed member of the Latin Gangsta’ Disciples gang, based in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was arrested last year along with his alleged partners Jose Ilarraza, “Kae-Kae,” 26, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, and Bryan Torres-Almanzar, “Flex,” 19, of Nashua.

Valentin pleaded guilty to dealing firearms without a license and conspiracy to deal firearms without a license during a plea hearing earlier this year.

According to court documents, in September, a cooperating witness working for federal investigators was approached by an individual in the Middleton House of Corrections, in Middleton, Massachusetts, after that individual learned that the cooperator was interested in obtaining firearms for shipment to the Dominican Republic. The cooperating witness was instructed to contact Torres-Almanzar, who was allegedly heavily involved in firearms trafficking.

Investigators used this information and another cooperating witness to purchase guns from Torres-Almanzar and Valentin on six occasions between Sept. 12, and Oct. 19.

On Sept. 14, the cooperating witness arranged to purchase a 9mm semiautomatic pistol with a laser sight, three magazines and 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition for $1,000 from Torres-Almanzar and Valentin. During the sale, Torres-Almanzar and Valentin talked about future gun purchases and told the cooperating witness that “we do business and will take care of you.”

They also said that they were in the business of “growing our organization” and repeatedly urged the cooperating witness to buy more guns.

During the course of the investigation, the cooperating witness purchased a total of 11 guns, 18 magazines and 359 rounds of ammunition, including 59 rounds of hollow point ammunition, sometimes referred to on the street as “cop killers,” from Torres-Almanzar and Valentin for a total of $12,300.

During an Oct. 4 sale, Valentin provided the cooperating witness with a “price list” that indicated the range of firearms that Valentin and Torres-Almanzar allegedly had for sale.

Torres-Almanzar previously pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 26. Ilarraza’s case remains pending.

Damien Fisher can be reached at 594-1245 or dfisher@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DF.