Sacred Heart University Football Player Accused Of Aggravated Arson

FAIRFIELD, CT — A 19-year-old defensive lineman for the Sacred Heart University football team has been charged with aggravated arson in connection with an incident in New Jersey, in which a woman was burned on one of her arms, according to the Prosecutor's Office of Ocean County, NJ.

The incident occurred on July 22 in Beach Haven, NJ, and the 53-year-old victim was treated for second-degree burns.

According to authorities, the woman reported the incident at about 10:15 p.m., telling police that someone threw a firework at her from a vehicle, and it exploded on her.

"She advised the Officers that she was walking on Pennsylvania Avenue when a firework was thrown from the passenger side of a Jeep Wrangler," prosecutors said in a statement. "The firework exploded and struck her in the arm and rib area, causing her clothes to catch fire."

A little over an hour later, police pulled over a Jeep Wrangler driven by Justin Liebhauser, of Randolph, NJ, based on a description from the victim. Also in the vehicle was Gianni Aveta, 18, of Wayne, NJ, and two juveniles.

"An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Beach Haven Police Department revealed that Liebhauser was operating the vehicle with Aveta and the two minors as passengers in the area of Pennsylvania Avenue earlier in the evening," prosecutors said. "Liebhauser handed a five-inch shell mortar firework to Aveta, who then lit the firework and threw it out of the passenger side of the vehicle, striking the victim. As a consequence of the investigation, Liebhauser and Aveta were served with the aforementioned charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court."

The Connecticut Post reported that Liebhauser is a member of the Sacred Heart Pioneers football team, and as of Friday afternoon, he was still listed as such on the team's website.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Beach Haven Police Chief James Markoski acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Beach Haven Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collective assistance in connection with the investigation.

Authorities said the charges are merely accusations, and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.