An Ocean County man pleaded accountable to two counts of the worse for arson for setting fire to a home in Lakewood in August 2020 while three people were inside.
Jamal Preston, 27, of Egg Possess Township, also admitted to be able to possessing a knife within a fight in Berkeley Township two days before the fire.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Workplace will seek a seven-year prison term at Preston’s sentencing scheduled for February. 25. The No Early on Release Act will use, meaning Preston must function 85% of his phrase, although he will also be offered credit for time offered.
Preston was indicted about two additional arson charges and an attempted tough charge, which will be dropped from sentencing under the terms of the request deal.
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The U.S. Marshals Program arrested Preston at a hotel room in Absecon on Oct. 31, 2020. He has already been held at Ocean Region Jail in Toms Riv since then.
Preston intentionally collection the fire using a an “ignitable liquid and a flame,” authorities explained. The people in the home were not hurt.
Authorities have not released this address of the home or maybe the relationship between Preston plus the three victims.
On Oct. 20, 2020, Preston was initially involved in a fight inside the Manitou Park section of Berkeley. When police arrived, these people found a knife about Preston, authorities said. Having been arrested and released.
The prosecutor’s office will look for two seven-year prison phrases for the arson charges plus 18 months for the weapons wrongdoing, but those sentences are anticipated to run concurrently.
Ken Lozano covers crime, breaking reports, investigations and local issues. Reach him at [email protected].
Source: Asbury Park