Ocean County Man Pleads Guilty To Terrorism In 2022 Spree Of Attacks On Jews

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Manchester Township man who called Orthodox Jews "the real devils" has pleaded guilty in a 2022 spree where he attacked four Orthodox Jewish men in Lakewood and Jackson, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced.

Dion Marsh, 29, pled guilty Wednesday before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan, to a single count of terrorism, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22, at which time the state will be seeking a term of 30 years in prison without parole, Billhimer said.

On April 8, 2022, Marsh injured three men in separate incidents when he hit them with a car — in one instance driving onto the sidewalk to hit a man. He stabbed a fourth man during the spree that began with an attempted carjacking and went on for more than six hours, authorities said. He was indicted on a state-level terrorism charge in June 2022.

Marsh also faces federal hate crimes charges because he targeted Orthodox Jews and tried to kill them, federal authorities said at the time. Read more: Federal Hate Crimes Charged In Attack Spree On Ocean Co. Orthodox Jews

The federal charges remain pending, the U.S. Attorney's office confirmed Wednesday.

Three of Marsh's victims were treated and released from the hospital fairly quickly; the fourth required a stay in a rehabilitation facility to recover, Billhimer said.

"The evidence marshaled through the course of this investigation led us to the unmistakable conclusion that these brazen, violent acts were carried out with the purpose of terrorizing the Jewish community in Lakewood and Jackson Townships," Billhimer said. "Let no one question our resolve when it comes to fighting hatred and bigotry. To those who would seek to terrorize innocent citizens in Ocean County, our message is simple and clear: we will pursue you, prosecute you, and ultimately convict you. And we will do everything within our power to send you to prison for a very long time."

"I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, hate has no home in Ocean County," he said.

"I wish to commend all the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation, whose combined efforts and teamwork led to this defendant’s swift apprehension — and more than likely saved lives," Billhimer said.

Chief Trial Attorney Michael Weatherstone is handling the case on behalf of the state.

The following agencies were involved in the investigation: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime and Victim Witness Advocacy units; the Lakewood, Jackson and Manchester Township police departments; the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation and K-9 units; New Jersey State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, and New Jersey Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

Previous coverage:

• Federal Hate Crimes Charged In Attack Spree On Ocean Co. Orthodox Jews
• Terrorism Charges Added In Lakewood Attacks: Ocean Prosecutor
• Suspect In Assaults Made Antisemitic Comments To Police, Records Show
• Ocean County Jewish Community Shaken After 3 Men Attacked
• Man Faces Bias Charges In Stabbing, Hit-And-Runs In Lakewood, Jackson