Dion Marsh, a 29-year-old from Manchester, New Jersey, was sentenced tonight (Wednesday) to 40 years in prison for a series of violent attacks against 5 ultra-Orthodox (Haredim) in Lakewood and the surrounding area.
Marsh pleaded guilty to six counts, five hate crimes and one count of motor vehicle theft. Marsh attacked his victims, because they could be identified as ultra-Orthodox Jews. He ran them over with a car and tried to stab them with a knife to kill them.
The victims suffered various injuries, including broken bones and stab wounds. The US Attorney, Philip Salinger, stated that the defendant's actions were a "cruel and hateful rampage" and that the sentence held him accountable for his crimes.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark from the Civil Rights Division at the Ministry of Justice emphasized that "hateful attacks on the Orthodox Jewish community are abhorrent, illegal and contrary to our values as Americans." She added that the Ministry of Justice will continue to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of hate crimes.
* Ynet News contributed to this article