A Mount Laurel man was sentenced to 8 years in prison in a racial intimidation case caught on viral video

A Mount Laurel man who stalked and harassed his Black neighbors in a viral rant and challenged them to “come see me” was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison after tearfully pleading for a lighter term.

Edward C. Mathews, 47, must serve at least four years before he will be eligible for parole under the sentence imposed by Superior Court Judge Gerard H. Breland. He pleaded guilty in October to four counts of bias intimidation and a drug charge under an agreement with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

In a case that made national headlines, Mathews was accused of harassing neighbors in the Essex Place condominium association in Mount Laurel. Authorities said he called Black residents “monkeys,” put feces on their property, sent threatening emails and letters, and shot BB pellets at their cars.

Prosecutors say Mathews had a pattern of terrorizing Black neighbors, as well as condo association board members, dating back to 2020. Residents in the racially diverse community located about 17 miles east of Philadelphia complained to police, but there was never enough evidence to charge Mathews with a crime, authorities said.

» READ MORE: How a racist rant in Mount Laurel sparked neighbors to fight back and a community to press for change

The confrontations escalated on July 2, 2021, when Mathews verbally attacked a resident and made a video challenging neighbors “to come see me” and gave out his address. A video of the incident went viral, and hundreds from around the region showed up at his home, chanting his name and calling for his arrest.

Handcuffed and shackled in court on Friday, Mathews begged for leniency, sniffling and wiping tears. He said he accepted personal responsibility and offered a brief apology to the victims for “my insensitive and disrespectful words in the past.” He also expressed remorse that his actions destroyed his marriage and hurt his family. His wife filed for divorce and sold their townhome, he said, adding that he lost all of his possessions and has spent 21/2 years in jail.

“Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future,” he told the judge during a 15-minute statement. “I want to commit to rebuild the community.”

In an interview with The Inquirer shortly after the incident, Mathews apologized and said his conduct stemmed from a long-running housing dispute involving the homeowners’ association. Mathews also said he was drunk.

Assistant County Prosecutor Jamie Hutchinson read victim impact statements from four current or former residents of the Mount Laurel condominium association. She said they were afraid to come to court out of fear of retaliation. Most of the victims were in their 60s and 70s, she said.

LeRon Brown, the former homeowners association president, who is Black, and his wife, Denise, who is white, moved out in 2021 after numerous altercations with Mathews. The couple had lived there since the development opened in 2001. Another Black board member moved, too.

“The actions of what he did will forever stay a nightmare of the fear and anxiety he bestowed upon me,” Denise Brown wrote in a statement. “I’m constantly looking over my shoulder and trusting no one.”

Hutchinson also cited Mathews’ extensive criminal record — 11 felony convictions since 1995. A drug conviction barred him from possessing weapons, she said. Authorities found a slingshot and 30 rounds of ball-bearing ammunition and hallucinogenic mushrooms when they searched his condo.

» READ MORE: Mt. Laurel mayor and N.J. assemblywoman say they were threatened by resident charged in racist rant against Black neighbors

Mathews tried unsuccessfully Friday to fire his lawyer, Ali Homayouni, his fourth since the case began. The judge rejected his arguments that he missed a chance to get a lighter sentence because of ineffective counsel.

Breland said he found no extenuating circumstances to grant Mathews’ request for a shorter sentence and deviate from the plea agreement. He ordered Mathews to pay $4,408 in restitution and undergo racial sensitivity training in prison.

Mathews has been in custody since his arrest. He will get credit for the 886 days spent in jail and will be eligible for parole in about 16 months.