Man Who Set Car Ablaze In Morris Co. Domestic Dispute Sentenced

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A Morristown man has been sentenced in connection with a domestic incident that escalated into a car blaze with further hostage negotiations in October 2021, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.

Chancelle Ibin Young, 29, of Morristown, appeared before the Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr. on Jan, 17, 2023, and pleaded guilty to second-degree arson, second-degree certain persons not to have weapons, and simple assault.

On March 31, 2023, Judge Taylor sentenced Young to 8 years in prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, which requires Young to serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Young was sentenced to a concurrent mandatory term of imprisonment of 5 years with a 5-year parole disqualifier on the second-degree certain persons not to have weapons charge. Young will also be subject to three years of parole supervision upon his release from prison as part of his sentence.

"Domestic violence is a serious crime. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is committed to holding the perpetrators of domestic violence, especially those that involve physical violence and the use of a firearm or weapon, accountable under the law," Carroll said.

On Oct. 25, 2021, law enforcement officers were called to Franklin Street for a reported domestic dispute. According to the prosecutor's office, Young assaulted and injured his partner in the presence of their young child.

When police arrived, they discovered Young on the street with a suspected gun, according to authorities. According to the prosecutor's office, he engaged in "threatening behavior" and set fire to a car.

Additional officers from various agencies arrived and secured the scene. They began de-escalation techniques, such as hostage negotiations. After several tense hours, officers took Young safely into custody.

The gun was ultimately found inside the burned car.

"I commend the law enforcement officers who responded and through the skillful use of police de-escalation techniques, and inter-agency safely arrested the defendant who was pointing a firearm and carrying out violent and threatening behavior for an extended period of time. These officers demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and restraint under strenuous circumstances threatening their personal safety," Carroll said.

If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence there are resources available in Morris County to assist victims and their families at the Morris County Family Justice Center, which is located at 10 Court Street, 4th Floor, Morristown, New Jersey. The Morris Family Justice contact number is 973-829-4050, or you can visit their website at www.morrisfjc.org or contact the Domestic Violence Abuse hotline at 1-877-R-U-ABUSED.