Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Pemberton Township man admitted in Superior Court today that he broke into the home of a Browns Mills woman last year and sexually assaulted her at gunpoint.
Under the terms of an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Lawrence Pippins, 26, pled guilty to Aggravated Sexual Assault (First Degree) and Kidnapping (First Degree) in exchange for a New Jersey state prison term of 25 years.
According to authorities, Pippins must serve more than 21 years before becoming eligible for parole. The Hon. Charles A. Delehey, J.S.C. scheduled sentencing for May 3. Pippins is also subject to additional prison time for violating parole by committing these offenses.
A judge ordered Pippins to be held in the Burlington County Jail since his arrest in June 2017. A Burlington County Grand Jury indicted him in September.
The investigation revealed that Pippins gained entry into a residence on Ursinus Court in the University Park Apartments through a window at approximately 2:45 a.m. on June 15, 2017. He then restrained the victim and sexually assaulted her at gunpoint before leaving the residence.
Investigators began canvassing the neighborhood a few hours later, and the victim’s apartment was processed for evidence by the BCPO Crime Scene Unit. The investigation yielded information that identified Pippins as a suspect, and warrants were obtained for his arrest and the search of his residence. He was taken into custody the day after the assault.
The search warrant was executed by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police (Technical Emergency and Mission Specialists Unit), and the Pemberton Township Police Department. Assistance was provided during the investigation by the New Jersey State Police Canine Unit.
Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Eife is prosecuting the case, supervisor of the Prosecutor’s Office Sexual Assault/Child Abuse Unit.