Racist Tirade, Abuse Leads To Burlington Co. Man's Prison Sentence

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ — A man has been sentenced to prison after his viral, racist tirade against his neighbors led investigators to find a pattern of abuse and drugs in his home.

Edward C. Mathews, of Mount Laurel, was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison. He pleaded guilty in October to four counts of bias intimidation (fourth-degree) and one count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute (second-degree).

The bias-intimidation offenses involve the former Grammercy Way resident's mistreatment of four 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 home and found Mathews using racial slurs during a verbal altercation with four residents, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office (BCPO).

"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 later charged with the drug offense after authorities searched his home and found psilocin mushrooms, which have hallucinogenic effects.