OCEAN COUNTY – Four local men have been criminally charged for illegally trafficking firearms, including privately manufactured handguns, throughout Ocean County, state officials said.
James Hyres, 38, of Toms River; Dennis McMickle, 35, of Brick; James Opalenik, 51, of Ocean Gate; and Edward Trost, III, 36, of Toms River; are each charged with conspiracy to traffic in firearms and trafficking in firearms.
Hyres and McMickle are also charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. McMickle and Opalenik are also charged with one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Hyres and Opalenik were arrested on July 29 in Ocean County. Opalenik is scheduled to appear today before a judge in Trenton federal court. Hyres is scheduled to have his initial appearance on July 30. McMickle and Trost were already in custody in Monmouth County and Ocean County, respectively, on unrelated state criminal charges, officials said.
According to officials, Hyres, McMickle, Opalenik, and Trost were members of a gun trafficking conspiracy, that operated in and around Ocean County, from April 2024 through May 2024.
Hyres manufactured privately made firearms, also known as PMFs or “ghost guns,” for resale using various component parts, including firearm frames manufactured by Hyres using a 3D printer.
“Hyres, assisted by McMickle and Trost, then sold PMFs and other traditional firearms for profit to others, including a confidential source working at the direction and supervision of the FBI.
Opalenik, assisted by McMickle, sold a semi-automatic rifle to the confidential source in furtherance of the firearms trafficking conspiracy,” officials said.
In addition, McMickle sold the confidential source a 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun in January 2024. Authorities later discovered that none of these defendants held a federal license to deal or manufacture firearms.
Hyres, McMickle, and Trost each have prior felony convictions and are prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law.
The counts of conspiracy to traffic in firearms, trafficking in firearms, and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon each carry a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The count of unlawfully possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger credited agents with the FBI Newark Red Bank Jersey Shore Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of FBI Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, with the investigation leading to the charges and arrests.
He also thanked the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, the Lakewood Police Department, and the Toms River Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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