El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en junio 24, 2021, Jamal Preston, 26, of Egg Harbor Township, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on a charge of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 y N.J.S.A.. 2C:11-3a(1), in connection with a fire he intentionally set to a residential home in Lakewood on August 22, 2020. Preston was also indicted on four counts of Aggravated Arson in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1a.
En Agosto 22, 2020, the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to a report of a fire at a residence in Lakewood. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, Oficina del Jefe de Bomberos del Condado de Ocean, and New Jersey State Fire Marshals K-9 Unit, determined that the fire had been intentionally set utilizing an ignitable liquid and an open flame. Further investigation determined that Preston did, En realidad, intentionally set the fire while the residence was occupied by three individuals. Preston fled the scene, but was arrested at a motel in Absecon by the United States Marshals Service on August 31, 2020. Ha estado alojado en la cárcel del condado de Ocean desde su detención..
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill who is handling the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Unidad de Delitos de Alta Tecnología de la Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Ocean, Departamento de policía del municipio de Lakewood, Oficina de detectives del Departamento de Policía del municipio de Lakewood, Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, Oficina del Jefe de Bomberos del Condado de Ocean, New Jersey State Fire Marshals K-9 Unit, Servicio de Alguaciles de los Estados Unidos, Egg Harbor Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Oficina de detectives del Departamento de Policía del municipio de Berkeley, and South Toms River Police Department, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation resulting in today’s indictment.
Los cargos mencionados anteriormente son meras acusaciones y se recuerda a la prensa y al público que todos los acusados se presumen inocentes a menos y hasta que se demuestre su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia.
RPC. 3.6(b)(6).