OCEAN COUNTY, NJ – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer has announced charges against Thomas Lester, 20, of Tuckerton, and Ethan Salter, 19, of Little Egg Harbor Township.
The charges stem from a structure fire in Little Egg Harbor Township on January 8. Both individuals face multiple charges, including Aggravated Arson, Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Arson, Burglary, and related offenses.
The incident, which took place in the early hours of January 8, prompted responses from the Little Egg Harbor Township Police and Fire Departments to a fire on National Union Boulevard.
Following an exhaustive investigation by multiple agencies, it was determined that the fire was deliberately set in the living room of the affected structure using an open flame. The collaboration between the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad and other local and state investigative units played a crucial role in identifying the origin and cause of the fire.