JACKSON TOWNSHIP, New Jersey – A man has pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes for a spree of violent attacks against Jews in a heavily Orthodox area of New Jersey. Dion Marsh, 29, admitted to five hate crimes charges and one count of carjacking in relation to the attacks which took place in and around Lakewood, a city in central New Jersey that is a hub of Orthodox Jewish life.
The U.S. Department of Justice stated that Marsh targeted Orthodox Jews because of their visibly Jewish attire and admitted to attempting to kill four victims and assaulting a fifth. He now faces the possibility of life in prison for these charges. Marsh expressed his belief that his actions “had to be done” because he perceives Hasidic Jews as “the real devils.”
The attacks took place over the course of a day, during which Marsh forced a Jewish man out of his car, assaulted him, and then drove off in the stolen vehicle. He then used another car to ram into a Jewish man, causing severe injuries. Between these attacks, Marsh even drove to his home and switched into his grandmother’s vehicle before continuing his violent spree. He later attacked two more Jewish men, attempting to murder them and causing serious injuries.
The Anti-Defamation League stated that Marsh exhibited no signs of antisemitism prior to the attacks, but now faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the four attempted murder charges, along with additional state charges. The ADL’s announcement of a spike in antisemitism nationwide following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war adds further gravity to this case. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Selinger emphasized the sad reality of hate-fueled violence and its prevalence across the nation, pointing to the 408 antisemitic incidents in New Jersey in 2022, including nine assaults.