Man's Racist Tirade Toward Burlington Co. Neighbors To Land Him In Prison

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ — A man who made a racist tirade toward his Mount Laurel neighbors that went viral will go to prison for the 2021 incident.

Edward C. Mathews pleaded guilty Tuesday to four counts of bias intimidation (fourth-degree) and one count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute (second-degree).

He'll receive an eight-year prison sentence under an agreement with the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office (BCPO). Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 8.

The bias-intimidation offenses involve the former Grammercy Wayresident's mistreatment of five former neighbors. Investigation into Mathews began July 2, 2021, after a resident filed a harassment complaint against him to Mount Laurel police. A short time later, a township officer responded to a Coventry Way and found Mathews using racial slurs during a verbal altercation with four residents, according to officials.

"The investigation revealed a pattern of abuse from Mathews against his neighbors that included leaving a threatening note on one of their vehicles," the BCPO said.

A video shows Mathews repeatedly using the N-word and calling several people "monkey." When a Mount Laurel police officer arrives, he continues to shout the slurs, even as the officer addresses him by name and tells him to go home. Read more: Mount Laurel Man's Racist Rant On Video Sparks Protest

Mathews was additionally charged with the drug offense after authorities searched his home and found psilocin mushrooms.