By: Jackie Amorine
Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson reported that an investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office’s Arson Task Force, the Frenchtown Police Department, the Holland Township Department of Public Safety, and the New Jersey State Fire Marshall has led to the arrest of an individual.
According to Prosecutor Robeson, John R. Kopitskie, 23, of Milford, was charged with one count of second-degree aggravated arson and one count of third-degree burglary.
A joint investigation revealed that Mr. Kopitskie entered and set fire to a parked, unoccupied recreational vehicle (RV).
Officials said the incident occurred on May 4, 2022, in the parking lot of a local business in Frenchtown.
Mr. Kopitskie was lodged in the Warren County Jail and was later released onto conditional pretrial monitoring.
Second-degree charges may result in criminal penalties, including, but not limited to, a term of imprisonment between five and ten years and a fine not to exceed $150,000.00.
Third-degree charges may result in criminal penalties, including, but not limited to, a term of imprisonment between three and five years and a fine not to exceed $15,000.00.
Despite being charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.