Howell Man Admits Threats To Assault Lakewood Jewish Residents

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Howell Township man has admitted sending messages threatening to beat members of the Lakewood Jewish community with a baseball bat to multiple Facebook accounts, including that of Gov. Phil Murphy.

Anthony Lodespoto, 43, pleaded guilty to bias intimidation on Friday, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Lodespoto made the threats in March over incidents where some members of the Lakewood community had not complied with Murphy's executive orders during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

Murphy in March banned gatherings of more than 10 people and told residents to stay at home as part of statewide efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Authorities said Lodespoto on March 26 sent the threats via Facebook messenger to several accounts, including Murphy's official account as governor.

Billhimer said that as Lakewood detectives investigated, New Jersey State Police told them Lodespoto had made a similar threat in a message sent to Murphy's account. The threats consisted of saying he would drive to Lakewood to beat members of the Jewish community with a baseball bat.

Lodespoto pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan. He is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 25.

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors will be seeking a sentence of 180 days in the Ocean County Jail, Billhimer said. Lodespoto remains in the Ocean County Jail pending sentencing.

First Assistant Prosecutor Michael Nolan would like to acknowledge the fine work of Assistant Prosecutor Shanon Chant-Berry who handled the case, as well as the Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau and New Jersey State Police for their investigations.

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