MAYS LANDING – Two men pleaded guilty on Thursday to aggravated assault after setting a man on fire in March, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.
Authorities say Brandon Perez, 23, of Hammonton and David Sult, 24, of Mays Landing, both pleaded guilty to second degree aggravated assault in exchange for five years New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act (85% period of parole ineligibility and three years parole supervision upon release).
According to authorities, on the evening of March 15, 2019, Brandon Perez and David Sult were at Sult’s residence in Mays Landing hanging out with a group of other men.
Raymond Mullen was asleep on a couch when Perez and Sult decided to play a “prank” on him. Perez sprayed lighter fluid on the back of Raymond’s clothing.
Perez ignited it. Raymond suffered severe burns to his back.
The men claimed Raymond had been burned accidentally by an electronic smoking device but the investigation revealed the fire had been set intentionally.
Township of Hamilton Police Det. Lawrence Fernan investigated the incident and ACPO Det. Danielle Kratky assisted with the prosecution.
The men are on pretrial release, pending sentencing. They were released after a detention hearing. Sentencing is scheduled for February 28, 2020.
***These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ***