PRESS RELEASE-HOWELL MAN CHARGED WITH MAKING TERRORISTIC THREATS DURING STATE OF EMERGENCY
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lakewood Township Police Chief Gregory Meyer announced that on Friday, March 27, 2020, Anthony Lodespoto, 43, of Howell, was charged with Making Terroristic Threats during a State of Emergency in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3a.
On March 26, 2020, the Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau was made aware that Lodespoto had made threatening statements by way of the direct messaging feature of Facebook against the Jewish community of Lakewood. On March 27, 2020, Detectives were informed by members of the New Jersey State Police that Lodespoto sent a similar message to the Facebook account of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. The threats largely consisted of Lodespoto threatening to travel to Lakewood with the purpose of assaulting members of the Jewish community with a baseball bat. Lodespoto was arrested without incident at his residence in Howell. He is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Meyer would like to acknowledge the fine work of the Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau and the New Jersey State Police for their collaborative efforts in this investigation.
“As Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Ocean County, it is my sworn duty to enforce the law and protect all of our residents,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “To that end, employing a public health crisis and worldwide pandemic as an excuse to propagate hate and fear is unconscionable. This behavior is contrary to law and will not be tolerated. I am keenly aware these are extraordinarily stressful times, but that does not give anyone license to engage in violent behavior or threaten to commit violent acts. The statements made by this individual were not an exercise in free speech; rather, they exhibited an abhorrence to the values of a free and civilized society,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
The public and media are reminded that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond
a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Hero
What a bunch of bullshit this is apparently he didn’t even say anything bad , it just shows you who is running this shithole state
Ryan Hatch what happened to free speech? I hope he sues the piss out of the township for violating his rights.
Free speech in this country is dead
Dont know what you’ve read,but what I’ve read he made specific threats,which,is not covered under any kind of free speech,anywhere.
He said bad things, he threatened violence in Lakewood, and he’s an idiot for sending the threats to the Governor.
you can’t fix stupid
Laura Truszkowski Did you read what he said? He had a detailed threat with a time. That is not freedom of speech. That is a violation of human rights.
Amy Korenthal Noble no, I didn’t see that.
Amy what exactly did he say because originally I heard it was nothing but if he did what you are saying he is a idiot and deserve to get arrested
Yea look who gets locked up! Figures. Everyone else in Lakewood is untouchable.
Toni, That was my thoughts exactly. I’m a disabled grandmother, with ms, fibromyalgia, copd, and ptsd. And to be honest, when that rabbi said the virus not for the jews, an that other dingbat jewish woman got on video spouting crap. Hell, I wanted to kick the crap out of both of them myself, an just beat the piss out of them. So, now are they going to come arrest my crippled up ass, I can’t run, so it will be easy????????Hell, if it keeps going the way it is, my people can buy it back cheap from whoever owns it. No more freedom of anything unless your jewish..
So they arrested him for his WORDS but those acting recklessly and spreading a deadly virus can walk the street’s? GREAT job!!! ????????
Crystal Britton Fucking ridiculous isn’t it?
Jaime M DePaola EVEN more so since they want to claim prejudice etc. The actions of those not social distancing are far more dangerous and I am disgusted it’s being ignored!
Crystal Britton ”fine work of the Lakewood Township Police Department”
Crystal Britton Agree with you 100%.
Andrei Chuck
Jaime M DePaola one picture sums it all up
Andrei Chuck Absolutely
Crystal Britton I wonder if it was his friend that just passed in Howell…can’t blame someone for saying something under these circumstances. It’s going to wind up being like a civil war in Lakewood. The death in Howell was a friend’s friend. This is close to home.
Crystal Britton Excatly… total bs
Andrei Chuck yup they must be campaign contributors this guy isn’t
Laura Fitzpatrick Jinotti take your stupid self to Lakewood then
Crystal Britton said the same damn thing! The state has to get off there asses and do something about! Fucking disgrace
Crystal Britton He directly messaged the Governor saying he’d go out and attack people.
I don’t agree with what those in Lakewood are doing. They are a health hazard for surrounding areas of the town. My guess is these hacids are paying someone under the table in order to continue running business as usual..
Crystal Britton dumb people!!!
Maybe if Murphy put a stop to it instead of protecting his political ass people wouldnt be so upset.
This is the problem
Article is updated with the original Facebook post that was the threat.
Ocean County Scanner News I don’t condone violence of any kind but how are his words worse than the reckless actions of spreading a deadly virus while we are all doing our part to stay home, self quarantining and there are weddings, parties etc? It’s upsetting and ridiculous!
Crystal Britton two wrongs don’t make a right
Kristin Smith so arrest both wrongs then.
Carlos Martinho each time there’s a wedding broken up there’s an arrest made… they are being arrested.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/patch.com/new-jersey/lakewood-nj/amp/28660810/5th-lakewood-wedding-breaking-coronavirus-gathering-orders-halted
Kristin Smith I agree HOWEVER people are dying from this and they aren’t ALL being arrested. They are given fines which is absurd!
Kristin Smith really??
Have you seen one video of any arrest made of the Jewish community??
Bet you will never see that.
They commit millions of welfare fraud, kill there kids in hot cars and everyone single one gets off scott free.
Kristin Smith just above you are posting they are receiving summons but you tell me they are being locked up.
Which is it???
Crystal Britton the point is you should not be going around saying you’re going to “hit them with bats” and all of the other absurd anti Semitic things people are saying. You can be upset and frustrated but that doesn’t mean you need to threaten them. That man could’ve messaged murphy with his concerns without being violent
Carlos Martinho i used the word “arrested” which is true
Kristin Smith : we need mugshots, or it didn’t happen.
Jean Gathercole ????
Kristin Smith so im going to ask you again, have you seen one video of any Jew being arrested??
If not its because it didnt happen.
Ive never seen one Jew in cuffs or even pulled over in Lakewood for that matter.
Kristin Smith they don’t but Murphy says all kinds of words and they don’t mean shit either. He’s going to prosecute to the fullest, feels personally responsible for our safety, EXCEPT when it is his pot of gold that backed him and his campaign. He won’t make a stand or an example because he will lose the votes. When your vote counts more than the lives of the people in your state, you need to get out. At least President Trump does what he says and doesn’t care who likes him. I heard a nasty rumor that most of the nation is working towards parole while we are under the control of a government who has delayed our getting back to normal.
Here’s some food for thought…
I REJECT ANY RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE THAT DOES NOT APPEAL TO REASON AND IS IN CONFLICT WITH MORALITY.-Mahatma Gandhi
Kristin Smith , they were issued a summons. Meaning they are to appear in court, IF found guilty there will be a fine. As the reason for the large gatherings is in the name of religion and that is a touchy subject. Also, if it doesn’t come from their Community Leader/Rabbi it isn’t followed. Many sects do not follow the news, social media, etc and only receive information from their Leaders.
Kristin Smith but each time there is an arrest, law enforcers are exposed. Is that fair?
Kristin Smith Lol. Thousands of people have contacted Murphy with concerns and nothing is done !
Christine Accreditato how is it touchy ? How fcking ridiculous? So everyone else can congregate at churches and claim it’s our religious right?
But are they all sitting in jail?
Laura Lange , the subject of religion.in COURT gets leeway.as it is a Constitutional right. And as people are being arrested for speaking negatively about the Lakewood Community, I choose my words on social media carefully. I do NOT agree with what is happening in Lakewood. I am making a statement that they stand behind religion and thanks to politics, it is either justified/explained why they don’t follow the rules/laws or it is discrimination.
Christine Accreditato and if they were put in jail they can just post bail. They didn’t commit a high enough crime to be locked in jail with no bail whether you feel they did doesn’t change the actual laws.
Laura Lange posting hateful things about a religious group will only make them stick up for them which is exactly what is happening. All I’m saying is express your concerns without the anti Semitism attached
Kristin Smith i think purposely spreading a virus with no regard for the safety of anyone around you should be wayyyyy more punishable of a crime than being fed up and saying words. They are Cockroaches….
Are they not Hasidic? Is that NOT why they’re able to be above the law….call a spade a spade….it’s not anisemetic, it’s fact. We wouldn’t get away with it.
Free Anthony Lodespoto !
Bullshit you charge this guy what about all the threats to the president of the United States?
Michael Nilio ”fine work of the Lakewood Township Police Department”
Wow just wow they can spread that shit like a wild fire and be ok we really are fucked huh
Should not of been threatening anyone. No need to post that
Somethings are better left unsaid. We are all frustrated but this was a little extra.
He may have crossed the line with his final direct threats, but his frustration and fear for his family were def justified AND directly CAUSED by the “leadership” failures of the state, county, and local entities. I hope his lawyer calls all those idiots to the stand for it.
Teachable moment though, despite the failures across the board, the moment you cross the line and make direct threats YOU become the criminal too. Now who is protecting your family?
I dont condone threats but I consider it a threat when they keep gathering and spreading it
Karen Ritter Preston one is verbal, the other is action. Totally agree. I posted that on Murphs page. Actually asked him if he heard of the old saying about sticks and stones. A word is a word, but actions, willful defiance, that’s another story.
Really? This guys the problem here? These people in Lakewood are BLATANTLY breaking the law. They get off with citations. They have held multiple gatherings and when people get upset about it, it’s anti Semitic? Something is seriously wrong there. So pathetic how nobody in that town can make an example out of the people who deliberately disobey strict orders.
There are idiots across the entire country and not following guidelines.
Making threats publicly is absolutely grounds for an arrest.
There are idiots across the entire country and not following guidelines.
Making threats publicly is absolutely grounds for an arrest.
Not all heroes wear capes.
Don’t worry! He’ll get out when they release the prisoners to protect them from the virus.
I feel his pain. Fuck that cult. It’s not a religion peeps
turn the table…lakewood residents who are ignoring the quarantine and spreading the virus are not acting in the best interest of us citizens….
I can see why he got arrested but hes fucking right! Go get these basturds off of the streets! If anyone should be facing terrorist threats it should be the Hasidic of Lakewood! Big groups, parties and ect. This guy isn’t the threat it’s those damn jews!
Steve Michael Sheerer ut ohh you said the word ….cant say that word lol . Even though that’s what they call themselves..
Cockroaches….code word is cockroaches…
he totally lost it !!
He felt his life, and his families life were in danger so he was trying to defend himself. 😉
They keep ignoring the quarantine. They keep ignoring the social distancing. They keep contracting the virus. They keep spreading the virus. Enough is enough!
Bob Schnier read the article
Joe Mufalli Italian’s aren’t to smart.
Melissa Ford Rivera
Um duh
This man deserves a trophy!????
Can’t believe the number of people who are willing to condone violence. Each has a justification for why this is ok.
I agree they need to make sure all are following the stay at home orders but…
He is an idiot, but arrested for threats wtf ? PC will kill us all
He is scared by the numbers:
https://www.ochd.org/covid-19-case-totals/?fbclid=IwAR1Q1KLofgILCewNgWqiy51Ko0F2EcnOk-TTs_lv12JYzeNN_A6r8Mua2rg
Look how app changed what the guy said. With quotation marks.
I agree that Lakewood is out of control, but I don’t agree with him threatening to smash their heads in with a bat. ????
No treats, just please comply!!!
START A GOFUNDME for this guy!
Nah, he is where he belongs. Spewing hateful bs it’s a right.
If you guys only knew him. He needs to stay there!
Absurd arrest
Incorrect.
Really really stupid. being upset with behavior should not roll into a tangent about killing a neighborhood!!! unacceptable ????
With that being said…
I hope that the Jewish people of Lakewood will understand that this was only one person who was not in compliance with community standards.
I knew it was only a matter of time before someone took things into their own hands!
Threatening to “smash heads with bats”? This guys a nut!
What a joke!
He didn’t say anything we werent all thinking.
Can we all chip in for his bail?
Get the National Guard into Lakewood ASAP. It should have already happened. The blatant non-compliance there is a grave threat to all residents.
It’s time my fellow Americans it time to take down these fucks who want tot hurt the American people
All this does is deminish the meaning of that law. I agree Crystal!! The virus is a thing. Just like a bat. Just like a gun. It is doing harm Governor. Damn don’t you get it? They are afraid?? Sooo are weee!!!! This virus kills. Thanks gov for showing your side.
Free Anthony
This man is frustrated just like most of Ocean County that actually see what’s going on. Murphy just goes by a phone call with a Rabbi saying Lakewood is complying. Really!! Maybe Murphy and his family need to move to Lakewood for the next few months. Maybe then he will see the truth. This is not about RELIGION it’s about people not adhering to the orders to stay the hell home.
this is terrorism? no, this is anger. justified anger when one group of people are being allowed to jeopardize an entire population. breaking heads with bats, or any other kind of violence is not an acceptable action, but one can understand where it is coming from. people are frightened and angry. i believe we are going to see more and more and more of this as time goes on and the haredi continue to defy the rules, spread the virus, and put all of us at risk. people have a right to be angry…especially when the authorities defend the indefensible and refuse to protect us. there cannot be one rule for the majority and another for one group. murphy better wake up, and force compliance, or i am afraid we are going to see actions rather than words…without the warning words give. those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it, and history is full of examples of people who ignore the rules.
Free Anthony
Scumbag
Bry Pino Go live in Lakewood
Laura Lange are u really that stupid?
Lisa Ann
While we’re at it, what about fines or penalties for all the folks on these boards, who were screaming this was a hoax, and no worse than flu… misinformation that lead to people, not distancing, until the state ordered it. Words have consequences, and i haven’t seen a single commentor, own up to being wrong. Facts matter.
Anthony Lodespoto for Gov of NJ.
Sounds like the dude was just airing his frustrations. Unfortunately he did make threats and he posted them to the Governors social media page.With everything that’s going on now,probably not the smartest move.They’re looking to make an example out of someone,and he just stepped up to the plate.
Yet the actual brutal beating of two seniors, Mr. & Mrs. Robison, Lakewood remains unsolved; literally buried after over a year on the desk of the OCP, go figure. Keep rolling those signs around about stopping hate.
This guy crossed the line people..wtf is wrong with all of you defending his words!? There’s a huge difference in expressing our deep concern and lack of cooperation from Lakewood corruption.. and threatening physical harm..
This can’t be real??? They actually arrested this man?? Not right. People are getting frustrated with the behaviors of certain groups and the Governor is not only ignoring these pleas, he’s out right defending and making it a race issue himself. So terribly sad and just wrong
Melissa Biondi this picture says it all
I have no problem with this guy being arrested and with his charges. But these people hosting and attending these parties in Lakewood should face the same charges.
Now that the National Guard has been authorized to be utilized in NJ, I hope Governor Murphy deploys them in Lakewood, Jackson, and Tom’s River to patrol the streets to prevent these gatherings. They can report these gatherings to local law enforcement and have them arrested. Enough already!
I know some people in Lakewood are being I’m responsible of the law but there is no reason to threaten anyone that will get you nowhere But in jail
Meant To say irregionadle
This man is a hero. A legend. #freeanthonylodespoto
This explains exactly y!!! Fucking disgrace!
All of you people are absolutely disgusting hate speech and racist
Noelle Smith go to Lakewood and we will talk nevtvweek
Whole I agree with the concerns about Lakewood 100% the wrong approach
We would all be better off driving through town filming everything still going on and post to social media
So this man got arrested for threats to the jewish community, however the hasidics who are physically threatening and jeapordizing innocent peoples lives every day because they want to have stupid parties/weddings and cant obiding by the the law EVER and nothing happens to them!!! What the F&#% ?? Do something about the Hasidics and other towns wouldn’t be so angry and frustrated!!!! Arrest the damn hasidics the same way you arrest NON-JEWS!!!
Madalyn Palmadesso they won’t vote for Murphy then
They would rather endanger us then risk loosing votes
Remember this next election people
Fred Soper ????
That’s are really smart AG enforcing that
He must have been bullied as a kid
Lakewood is a threat to all of us. This is so unfair that they do not have to follow the rules. This is all Murphy’s fault. He can do something about this but he chose not to. This is a threat to all of us trying to stay well.
It’s sad but we as the people will never win in any type of issue against Lakewood and it’s chosen ones.. This is jus unreal
Zionism is more of a problem than that man is.
Murphy is going to go down in history as the BIGGEST failure of any governor EVERRRRRR…. hopefully this changes the way lakewood is allowed to operate.
Not guilty!
The Hidsics in lakewood NJ have had five weddings since the quarantine..Yesterday the Governor admitted he and the Rabbi in Lakewood are personal friends and we should all come together and not shame anyone for their religious beliefs!!!!They need to lock them up. And the governor is defending Lakewood ridiculous.they spread the measles throughout NJ and NY they are doing the same agian .we will be on lock down forever at this rate .Using religious belifes to break the law needs to be stopped and all religions used be taxed.
Go figure
he did a verbal threat & gets arrested? meanwhile the Hasidics are physically spreading a deadly virus and they continue to break the law and have weddings all throughout the week. pathetic.