AN EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP MAN HAS PLEAD GUILTY IN CONNECTION TO AN AUGUST 22, 2020 LAKEWOOD FIRE
" Jamal Preston Of Egg Harbor Township Has Plead Guilty To Aggravated Arson & Unlawful Possession Of A Weapon."
January 20, 2022 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
TOMS RIVER, NJ.- On Thursday, January 13, 2022 Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Jamal Preston, 27, of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey has Pled Guilty before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C., to One Count of Aggravated Arson by Purposely or Knowingly placing another in Danger of Death or Bodily Injury; and Second Count of Aggravated Arson with purpose to Destroy the Building or Structure of Another in connection to an incident that occurred in Lakewood Township, New Jersey on August 22, 2020.
Additionally, Mr. Preston has Pled Guilty to an unrelated charge of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in connection to an incident that occurred two days earlier in Berkeley Township, New Jersey on August 20, 2020.
At the time of Mr. Preston's Sentencing on February 25, 2022, The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office will seek a Term of Seven Years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the terms of The No Early Release Act with respect to the arson charge associated with danger of death/bodily injury to another, as well as a flat seven-year prison term with regard to the Arson Charges. The Prosecutor's Office will also seek a Term of up to Eighteen Months in New Jersey State Prison as to the Weapon Charge. All sentences are to run concurrently.
On August 22, 2020, Members of The Lakewood Township Police Department responded to a report of a Fire at a residence in Lakewood, New Jersey. An ensuing investigation by The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s K-9 Unit, determined that the Fire had been Intentionally Set utilizing an ignitable liquid and an open flame.
Further investigation determined that Mr. Preston Intentionally Set the Fire while the residence was occupied by three individuals. Mr. Preston fled the scene, but was arrested later at a motel in Absecon, New Jersey by The United States Marshals Service on August 31, 2020. He has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since the date of his apprehension
Prior to the Arson incident, on August 20, 2020, Mr. Preston was involved in an altercation with another individual in the Manitou Park section of Berkeley Township.
When Members of The Berkeley Township Police Department responded to the scene, Mr. Preston was found to be in Possession of a Knife. Preston was taken into custody, Charged on a Summons, and released pending a future court date.
FILED UNDER JANUARY 20, 2022: LAW, OCEAN: