Manchester, NJ – A man from Ocean County has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of violent attacks targeting Orthodox Jewish men. Dion Marsh, 29, of Manchester, NJ, received the lengthy sentence for violating the hate crime prevention act and carjacking in a rampage around Lakewood, NJ on April 8, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger for the District of New Jersey emphasized the serious nature of hate-fueled violence and its impact on communities. Marsh admitted to violently attacking five Orthodox Jewish men, using vehicles to run over and stab them simply because of their religious identity. The sentence aims to hold him accountable for his hate-filled actions and protect the civil rights of New Jersey residents.
Officials stated that Marsh willfully caused bodily harm to five victims, attempting to kill and injure four of them with dangerous weapons due to their Jewish faith. The attacks were targeted at visibly identifiable Orthodox Jewish men, with the first incident occurring when Marsh forced a man out of his car in Lakewood and assaulted him before fleeing with the vehicle.
Subsequent attacks involved deliberately striking Orthodox Jewish men with vehicles, resulting in severe injuries including broken bones and stab wounds. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division acknowledged the unique vulnerabilities faced by Orthodox Jews and committed to prosecuting hate crimes to protect religious freedom.
In addition to his prison sentence, Marsh will serve five years of supervision upon release. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of hate crimes and the importance of upholding civil rights for all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs. The Justice Department’s efforts to combat anti-Semitic violence demonstrate a commitment to justice and ensuring the safety of all communities.