Dion Marsh Pleads Guilty to Terrorism in 2022 NJ Antisemitic Assault and Robbery Spree

By Matis Glenn

A man who police say committed a series of seven violent antisemitic crimes in Lakewood and Jackson in April of 2022 pled guilty to terrorism charges Wednesday, the New Jersey prosecutor’s office announced.

Dion Marsh, 28, of Manchester, pled guilty to a single count of Terrorism for his alleged hate-driven rampage, in which police say he rammed cars into people, stabbed others, stole vehicles, and attempted to kidnap a child – all of his targets being identifiable Orthodox Jews. He was originally charged with three counts of attempted murder, too. One of his victims, though taken to the hospital in critical condition, baruch Hashem recovered.

Marsh admitted to being motivated by anti-Jewish malice in committing the crimes, which all took place on April 8 of 2022. He was arrested the same day.

“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,” Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement. “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.”

Judge Guy P. Ryan presided over Wednesday’s hearing. Marsh is set to be sentenced on March 22, and the state will be seeking a term of 30 years in jail without the possibility of parole.