Pennsylvania Man Charged with Gun Crimes in Bergen County, New Jersey

Firearms Charges Bergen County NJA Pennsylvania man was recently arrested and charged with numerous criminal weapons offenses for allegedly selling assault firearms in Bergen County, NJ. The suspect, Andrew Okie, is a 24-year-old electronics technician who resides in Tobyhanna, PA. According to officials, Okie illegally sold firearms to residents of Bergen County, New Jersey. A number of NJ law enforcement agencies worked together on a major investigation into the alleged gun sales, including the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team, the Hackensack Police Department, the Dumont Police Department, and the Hasbrouck Heights Police Department.

New Jersey law enforcement authorities acted on information that Okie was purchasing firearms illegally in Pennsylvania and then selling the weapons in NJ. An undercover detective with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office set up meetings with Okie, beginning in March and ending in May. The undercover cop reportedly met with Okie on several occasions and conducted illegal sales of firearms: an AK-47 rifle, three AR-15 rifles, a number of high-capacity magazines, and more than 100 rounds of gun ammunition. Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo later issued a statement about the investigation and the arrest and said that Okie was selling the weapons to NJ residents.

Harsh Penalties for Illegal Possession of Assault Rifles in Bergen County, New Jersey

Okie has been charged with several weapons offenses: four counts of second degree possession of an assault rifle, four counts of third degree unlawful possession of a rifle, four counts of third degree illegal sale of a firearm, seven counts of fourth degree sale of a high-capacity firearm magazine, and seven counts of fourth degree possession of a large-capacity firearm magazine. These are very serious charges that are considered felonies under the NJ Criminal Code. This means that a conviction on just a single count could result in Okie spending years in prison. Beyond that, the Graves Act would apply in this case because it involves illegal firearms. The NJ Graves Act imposes minimum mandatory terms of incarceration.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Bergen County Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or a loved one was arrested and charged with a criminal weapons offense in Hackensack, Paramus, Fort Lee, or any other part of Bergen County, NJ, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. Contact Bergen County criminal attorney Travis Tormey now to schedule a free consultation.