LAKEWOOD – Two Seaside Heights men are facing multiple weapons and drug charges following a joint law enforcement investigation into the illegal possession and sale of firearms in Ocean County, authorities said.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, working with several local and federal agencies, arrested Michael Daluesio, 43, and Nathan Miller, 31, after surveillance operations in Lakewood and Toms River led to the recovery of two stolen handguns.
Investigators said Daluesio had been offering a handgun for sale in exchange for drugs or cash. On October 27, detectives observed him driving a rented vehicle in Lakewood with Miller as a passenger. When Daluesio stopped at a public park and entered a portable toilet, officers detained Miller—who had moved into the driver’s seat—and arrested Daluesio as he exited.
A search of the portable toilet uncovered a 9mm handgun and loose ammunition in a paper bag. Authorities later determined the firearm had been reported stolen in Montgomery, Alabama.
Further investigation revealed that a second firearm was being kept in a Toms River storage unit used by Miller. Detectives executed search warrants on both the storage unit and Daluesio’s vehicle, seizing a .380-caliber handgun reported stolen from Mobile, Alabama, along with drug paraphernalia.
Daluesio was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, certain persons not to possess a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, and wandering to obtain or distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Miller faces two counts each of unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm, as well as related drug and wandering offenses.
Both men were taken to the Ocean County Jail pending detention hearings.
Billhimer praised the cooperation of multiple agencies involved in the case, including the Lakewood, Toms River, and Seaside Heights police departments, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
