New Jersey man sentenced to prison for antisemitic vandalism and arson
NEW JERSEY (PIX11) – A New Jersey man has been sentenced to several years behind bars for his alleged connection to arson and antisemitic graffiti, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced on Saturday.
Ron Carr, 35, allegedly vandalized 14 homes in Pine Lake Park by spray painting Nazi symbolism on June 6, 2023, prosecutors said.
The next day, police officers said they were called to the same neighborhood for a report of a structural fire, which turned out to be at a house. The fire destroyed three other homes. No injuries were reported, officials said.
Carr was arrested and allegedly made multiple antisemitic statements to investigators during the interview, police said. He also claimed he was "saving the neighborhood" and thought the house he set on fire would be turned into a school or "prayerland."
Carr pleaded guilty in connection with the incidents that occurred in June 2023, according to court documents.
A New Jersey judge sentenced Carr to five years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to bias intimidation and 18 months in prison for two counts of criminal mischief.
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.