Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division, Seaside Heights Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Department of Homeland Security, to conduct an investigation into the illegal possession and distribution of firearms in Ocean County.
An investigation by the aforementioned agencies revealed that Michael Daluesio, 43, of Seaside Heights, was in possession of a handgun which he was offering to sell in exchange for narcotics or cash. On October 27, 2025, Detectives conducted surveillance on Daluesio as he was operating a rented vehicle in Lakewood. A second individual, later identified as Nathan Miller, 31, also of Seaside Heights, was a passenger in the vehicle. Detectives continued their surveillance as Daluesio traveled to a public park; they observed Daluesio exit the vehicle and enter a portable toilet. Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Lakewood Township Police Department thereafter detained Miller – who had moved into the driver seat of the vehicle – without incident. Daluesio was placed under arrest as he exited the portable toilet. Detectives immediately searched the portable toilet and located a 9mm handgun as well as loose ammunition in a paper bag. Further investigation revealed that the handgun was reported stolen out of Montgomery, Alabama. Additional investigation revealed that a second handgun was being stored in a storage unit in Toms River utilized by Miller. Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on the storage unit, as well as Daluesio’s vehicle, on October 27, 2025; as a result, Detectives located drug paraphernalia and a .380 caliber handgun that was reported stolen out of Mobile, Alabama.
Daluesio was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Wandering to Obtain/Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Daluesio was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Miller was charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, two counts of Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Wandering to Obtain/Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Miller was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Seaside Heights Police Department, and United States Department of Homeland Security, for their collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).