Acting Essex County Authorities announced today that Mr. Marvin L. Lewter, 35, of Newark, has been arrested for arson and aggravated assault after allegedly starting three fires in Orange that resulted in injuries firefighters.
According to county officials, Lewter was taken into custody yesterday, April 6. and charged with two counts of aggravated arson, a second-degree offense, for starting fires at two homes in the 300 block of Henry Street on Nov. 24, 2020.
Police say Lewter is also charged with two counts of aggravated arson for starting a second fire on April 5 at one of the Henry Street locations and a third fire in the 400 block of Codner Street.
Because two Orange firefights sustained injuries while fighting one of Henry Street fires on April 5, Lewter was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault, a third-degree offense.
These are accusations.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Prosecutor Stephens lauded the Orange Fire Department and the Orange Police Department for their assistance in this case.
The investigation is ongoing.