STROUDSBURG – Ray Velez will spend five to ten years in prison for the August 2006 fatal shooting of Armando Guardiola.  Velez was sentenced Thursday, after being convicted, in May, of voluntary manslaughter.  The sentence was the minimum under state guidelines.  He could have received up to 20 years in prison.

Velez, owner of a New Jersey trucking business, had claimed self-defense.  He knew Guardiola, 60, and two other men, were coming to his Jackson Township home to discuss a workers’ compensation issue. 

The prosecution noted that Velez, apparently anticipating an argument and what he claimed was a prior threat, by Guardiola, to kill him, prepared a sawed off shotgun, and then used it when an argument in fact ensued. 

Prior to sentencing, Velez told the judge he “…never meant for anybody to lose their life”.

Members of Guardiola’s family, and some friends, also addressed the court.