LITTLE EGG HARBOR — Two men have been sentenced to state prison for their roles in a false bomb threat at a Walmart and a house fire on National Union Boulevard, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
Superior Court Judge Dina M. Vicari handed down the sentences on November 21 at the Ocean County Courthouse.
Ethan Salter, 20, of Little Egg Harbor, received a three-year prison term after pleading guilty to aggravated arson stemming from a January 2024 house fire, as well as a concurrent three-year sentence for creating a false public alarm tied to a December 2023 bomb threat at the township Walmart. He entered both pleas in April.
Thomas Lester, 21, of Tuckerton, was also sentenced to three years in state prison for his role in the January 2024 arson. He additionally received a concurrent 12-month sentence for criminal mischief. Lester admitted to the charges in September.
Authorities said the bomb threat was made on December 2, 2023, around 5:45 p.m., prompting an evacuation of the Walmart store. The New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit determined the threat was unfounded. Investigators learned the message was transmitted over an employee radio and later discovered that Salter, a former employee, had stolen the device to send the threat. He was arrested three days later.
The arson case originated early January 8, 2024, when police and firefighters responded to a blaze that broke out in the living room of a National Union Boulevard home. After determining the fire was intentionally set using an open flame and an ignitable liquid, investigators identified Salter and Lester as suspects. Both were arrested in March.
Salter remains jailed for violating conditions of his release, while Lester was released under New Jersey’s bail reform guidelines following his arrest.
Billhimer praised the coordinated work of multiple county, state and local agencies that contributed to the investigation, including prosecutors, arson investigators, high-tech crime specialists, police, fire officials and forensic teams.
