Lakewood, New Jersey – A man has pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes for a series of violent attacks against Orthodox Jews in the heavily Orthodox area of Lakewood, New Jersey. The attacks took place in April 2022 and were targeted at Orthodox Jews in the area.
Dion Marsh, 29, admitted to five hate crimes charges and one count of carjacking. The U.S. Department of Justice stated that Marsh specifically targeted his victims because of their Jewish identity. He attempted to kill four victims and assaulted a fifth during the attacks.
According to the federal complaint, Marsh stated that the attacks “had to be done” because Hasidic Jews “are the real devils.” He expressed no remorse for his actions, claiming that his victims “had this coming.”
The brutal daylong attack spree involved multiple assaults, carjacking, and attempted murder. Marsh forced a Jewish man out of his car, assaulted another with a vehicle, and stabbed a pedestrian in the chest, resulting in serious injuries. In total, four Jewish men suffered broken bones and internal injuries, with one victim sustaining life-threatening injuries.
The Anti-Defamation League stated that Marsh had not displayed any indication of antisemitism before the attacks. The guilty plea came amid a spike in antisemitism nationwide reported by the ADL following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
The FBI, along with local police, investigated the case, and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Selinger emphasized the threat from hate-fueled violence as a sad reality in the state and the nation. The guilty plea carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the four hate crimes violations in which he attempted to kill his victims. Additionally, Marsh faces state charges for his violent acts against the Orthodox Jewish community.