Born in 1965, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gelpí attended high school at Academia del Perpetuo Socorro.

[2] He was a special litigation counsel in the law firm of McConnell Valdes from January to June in 2001.

[2] On April 24, 2006, President George W. Bush nominated Gelpí to a seat on the District of Puerto Rico vacated by Hector M. Laffitte, who assumed senior status on November 15, 2005.

Gelpí was confirmed by voice vote on July 20, 2006, and received his judicial commission on August 1, 2006.

[9] During his confirmation hearing, Republican senators criticized Gelpí over his critique of the insular cases that established Puerto Rico's rights.