October 19, 2023
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw announced that a Mount Laurel man who was charged with harassing and using racial slurs against his neighbors has pled guilty to four counts of Bias Intimidation (Fourth Degree).
Edward C. Mathews, 47, formerly of Grammercy Way, also pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute (Second Degree). Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Mathews will receive an eight-year prison sentence for the offenses. The plea was entered yesterday in Mount Holly before the Hon. Gerard H. Breland, J.S.C., who scheduled sentencing for December 8.
The charges to which Mathews pled involve the mistreatment of five former neighbors. The drug offense was filed after numerous psilocin mushrooms, which are known for their hallucinogenic effect, were discovered during a search of his home.
The investigation began July 2, 2021, after a resident came to the Mount Laurel Police Department to file a harassment complaint against Mathews. A short time later on the same date, a Mount Laurel police officer responded to a Coventry Way residence for a report of a male needing to be removed from the area. Upon arrival, the officer found Mathews using racial slurs while engaged in a verbal altercation with four residents.
The investigation revealed a pattern of abuse from Mathews against his neighbors that included leaving a threatening note on one of their vehicles.
The investigation was conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office and the Mount Laurel Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The lead investigators are BCPO Detective Sgt. Daniel Schules and MLPD Detective Luis Amaro.
Mathews is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Hutchinson.
Edward C. Mathews, 47, formerly of Grammercy Way, also pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute (Second Degree). Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Mathews will receive an eight-year prison sentence for the offenses. The plea was entered yesterday in Mount Holly before the Hon. Gerard H. Breland, J.S.C., who scheduled sentencing for December 8.