A North Carolina man has been sentenced to 40 years in New Jersey state prison in connection to drug and gun sales out of a Long Branch restaurant.

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The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office says Leroy "Prince" Taylor, 44, of Winterville, NC, conspired with restaurant owner Anthony "Nygee" Stevenson to sell heroin and assault rifles out of Christabell's American Soul Food Restaurant on Springdale Avenue. Stevenson was sentenced to 50 years in July. Both cases were part of a police sting dubbed "Operation Grand Opening," which netted more than 40 arrests in August of 2011.

Taylor was sentenced to an extended term of 20 years in prison with a 10-year period of parole ineligibility for Second Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute; 10 years for Racketeering Conspiracy; and 10 years with a 5-year period of parole ineligibility for Second Degree Unlawful Possession of an Assault Rifle by a Convicted Felon. He must serve a minimum of 15 years before being considered for parole.

Investigators say Taylor conspired with a Newark heroin dealer to provide drugs for distribution based out of the restaurant. Police say he also supplied Stevenson with two semi-automatic assault rifles with large-capacity magazines and ammunition, which were sold to an undercover police officer.

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