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The men facing charges in the case are James Hyres, 38, of Toms River; Dennis McMickle, 35, of Brick Township; James Opalenik, 51, of Ocean Gate; and Edward Trost III, 36, of Toms River. New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced the charges in a news release on Monday, July 29.
According to the criminal complaint, the four men were part of a gun-trafficking conspiracy throughout Ocean County in April and May 2024. Hyres created the ghost guns by using several components including frames made by a 3D printer.
Investigators said McMickle and Trost helped Hyres sell the ghost guns to several others, including an FBI informant. The informant purchased a semi-automatic rifle from McMickle and Opalenik. McMickle also sold a 9mm semi-automatic handgun to the informant in January 2024.
All four men didn't have a federal license to deal or manufacture guns. Hyres, McMickle, and Trost also have felony convictions that ban them from having a gun under federal law.
Hyres and Opalenik were arrested in Ocean County on Monday, July 29. McMickle was already in custody in Monmouth County and Trost was being held at the Ocean County Jail.
The four are each charged with conspiracy to traffic in firearms and trafficking in firearms. Hyres is also charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and Opalenik is also charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
McMickle is also charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and unlawfully possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The men face are facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy to traffic in firearms, trafficking in firearms, or possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
The unlawfully possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number charge carries up to five years in prison. All of the charges also carry $250,000 fines.
Hyres was scheduled to have his first federal court appearance on Tuesday, July 30.
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