Phony firearm, real charges — but actor escapes jail time for prop gun

NEW BRUNSWICK — An actor who played a bit part in an independent gangster film and used a prop pellet gun without a New Jersey gun permit likely won't have to serve a prison term.

Carlo Goias goes by the stage name Carlo Bellario. He was charged under the state's strict gun statute, which requires permits for firearms including the airsoft gun he used while filming a car chase scene in "Vendetta Games." Airsoft guns fire nonlethal plastic pellets.

The Toms River resident was sentenced Monday to two years of probation. He had accepted a plea deal offer in July.

Bellario initially said he'd reject the deal as a matter of principle — even against the advice of his attorney.

He relented after his attorney told him he could face up to 30 years due to prior felony convictions.

“I personally hope he takes the plea. It’s the best-case scenario for him. It’s a total victory and will have almost zero impact on his life,” attorney Jef Henninger told New Jersey 101.5 this summer.

Bellario had told New Jersey 101.5 he believed the charges were ridiculous — and that he'd have no problem beating them.

“There’s no way a jury is gonna convict me over this. If the prosecutors don’t have common sense over this, then I hope the public will,” Bellario said at the time. “I’m rolling the dice.”

He'd appeared on several New Jersey 101.5 shows during his time facing the charges — telling Dennis & Judi in February the case against him was "senseless" and something he couldn't wrap his head around.

He told morning show host Bill Spadea earlier this year the public attention given to his case had aggravated prosecutors.

“They’re grinding an axe for me. They’re not happy with all the media I’m doing,” Bellario said.

Afternoon host Jeff Deminski publicly pleaded with Bellario over the summer to take a plea deal — saying that his fight wasn't worth being separated from his family for decades.

"I like Carlo. I really do. But the sad fact is with his priors and knowing he was never allowed to handle a firearm again, he should have been more careful and asked more questions," Deminski wrote at the time. "In no way am I saying he should do jail time. But he should have been more cautious in dealing with some unknown movie producer when he was being handed a gun. The burden of his past record meant he should have never assumed it was a prop.

"I believe in principles too. But I also believe in a good deal when you see one."

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— With reports by the Associated Press and Townsquare Media