Crime & Safety
NJ Man Charged After Driving At Crowd At Washington Monument
Jack Joseph Dessin of Gloucester County was charged with attempted assault and destruction of government property, according to reports.
GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NJ — A Gloucester County man, who planned to run for New Jersey Governor, was charged after driving towards a crowd outside the Washington Monument on Saturday, according to reports.
Jack Joseph Dessin, 38, was charged with attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and destruction of government property, reported ABC News. No pedestrian injuries were reported.
Around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 3, U.S. State Park Police said a man, later identified as Dessin, had driven his car toward a crowd walking on a sidewalk near the Washington Monument, reported NJ.com. Dessin crashed into the security barriers on the southeast quadrant of the grounds.
Find out what's happening in Princetonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
He was driving a Ford Explorer with an American flag hanging from the passenger side and was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, said NBC Washington.
#UPDATE: 38-year-old Jack Joseph Dessin of New Jersey charged with- •Assault w/ a dangerous weapon (car) •Destruction of govt. property He’s accused of driving his truck toward a crowd near the Washington Monument last night. No one was injured. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/7d0phYCf1c
— Lorenzo Hall (@LorenzoHall) July 4, 2021
Dessin, who also has ties to West Deptford, Woodbury, and Sewell, had posted an online manifesto saying he planned to run for Governor of New Jersey.
Find out what's happening in Princetonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"With the literal decay of our laws in the last few months, I believe it is time for New Jersey to go in an entirely 'NEW RADICAL' direction leaving many of our old laws in our past within the VERY FIRST 100 DAYS!!!" the website says.
In a long list of campaign promises, Dessin also calls for an "end the war on guns" and says New Jersey should become an "open carry state."
According to his website, all citizens should be given a free website domain. He also called for pardoning "every previous non-violent offender," create separate transgender sports leagues, and end water bills.
Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com
Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
