NJ man accused of starting Pine Barrens fire blamed ‘Mexicans'
The New Jersey man charged with sparking a wildfire that ravaged parts of the Pine Barrens in Ocean County attempted to deny responsibility, blaming it instead on two 'Mexicans' he could not name, police said.
Joseph Kling and a second suspect, identified only as a 17-year-old male, both 'gave misinformation to law enforcement about' the origins of the blaze they are accused of starting on April 22, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. The flames were first spotted within the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust's Forked River Mountain, after the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower reported a large column of smoke in the area of Jones Road and Bryant Road in Ocean Township.
In the weeks since, firefighters have struggled to contain the wildfire, which has burned through more than 15,000 acres of land. On Tuesday, crews confirmed the blaze was about 90% contained, thanks in part to the weekend rainfall.
Kling was arrested last month and has been charged with counts including arson, aggravated arson and hindering apprehension, according to authorities. On, Friday, officials announced a second arrest in the case, a juvenile suspect who is facing the same charges. Prosecutors say the pair gathered up wooden pallets from Sonny's Recycling Center and then took them to a wooded area off Jones Road, where they allegedly started a fire using gasoline.
Billhimer said an 'investigation revealed Kling was the individual responsible for setting wooden pallets on fire — and then leaving the area without the fire being fully extinguished.' He added that authorities later determined a 'juvenile assisted in setting the wooden pallets on fire and also left the area without the fire being fully extinguished.'
During subsequent interviews with law enforcement, both suspects said they saw a pair of 'Mexicans' in the woods before the fire started, according to NJ Advanced Media.
Judge Pamela Snyder scolded Kling during a court appearance on Monday for lying to police.
Despite a push from prosecutors to keep him behind bars, Snyder released Kling with an ankle monitor and ordered that he remain under home confinement until his next court appearance, ABC 6 reported.
Kling's attorney, Joseph Compitello, has acknowledged his client was at the bonfire, noting that there were 'at least four or five other carloads of individuals at this location.'
'This bonfire is apparently somewhat common,' he told NBC Philadelphia. 'There's going to be culpability to be extended to others.'
Kling is due back in court on May 19. If convicted on the arson charge, he faces up to a decade in prison.
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