New Jersey teens charged with aggravated arson tried to blame 'Mexicans' for devastating blaze
Two teenagers accused of starting a wildfire in New Jersey have attempted to dodge responsibility by pointing the finger at immigrants.
When questioned about the Jones Road Wildfire, which scorched more than 15,000 acres in Ocean County, 19-year-old Joseph Kling did not deny knowing about the massive blaze.
Instead, he blamed a group of 'Mexicans' he claimed to have seen in the woods, but prosecutors said that statement was entirely false - no such group was present and evidence shows Kling and an unnamed 17-year-old accomplice were the ones who started the fire.
Kling now faces multiple charges, including aggravated arson and hindering apprehension, for allegedly setting gasoline-soaked wooden pallets ablaze in a remote section of the Pine Barrens on April 22.
Both Kling and the other teen allegedly told investigators that Mexicans had been in the area when the fire ignited, according to Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Gregory Lenzi.
But investigators discovered text chats between the teens that 'appear to refute the claim that Mexicans started the fire', Lenzi told Superior Court Judge Pamela Snyder during Kling's detention hearing.
The 17-year-old co-defendant is also charged with aggravated arson and hindering apprehension.
In addition to consuming nearly 15,300 acres of forest, the blaze destroyed Liberty Door and Awning, a local business, Lenzi said.
'He gambled with the lives and well-being of the people of the community when he lit that fire,' the prosecutor added.
According to investigators, Kling and the 17-year-old gathered pallets from a recycling center and transported them to the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area.
After a dirt bike crash involving a third teen - identified only as J.M. in court documents - Kling allegedly added more fuel to the fire and then left without attempting to put it out.
Hours later, flames were spreading uncontrollably through the forest, threatening over 1,300 structures and prompting air quality warnings that extended to New York City and Long Island.
Prosecutors say he gave false statements to law enforcement during the initial stages of the investigation.
Although wildfires are not uncommon in New Jersey's Pine Barrens, the size and speed of the Jones Road Fire prompted Acting Governor Tahesha Way to declare a state of emergency on April 23.
'I am declaring a State of Emergency in Ocean County due to the Jones Road Wildfire in the Greenwood Forest Wildfire Management Area near Lacey, Ocean, and Barnegat Townships,' Way posted to her X account.
She added: 'At this time, we have no loss of life and no homes have been harmed. If you live in the affected area, please listen to guidance from emergency management officials.'
Kling remains in custody as the case unfolds. His attorney, Jim Compitello, argued that his client - a student at Ocean County Vocational-Technical Schools who is just weeks from graduation - should be released pending trial due to his 'strong local ties'.
Compitello said the aggravated arson charge reflected 'fear and emotion stirred by the wildfire', not intent.
He told the court: 'All we have is an individual who is alleged to have brought pallets and set them on fire. There is no proof that he had an intention to set fire to the forest.'
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