Morris County officials announced the arrest of Ms. Pamela Hankin, 46, of Boonton, in connection with a residential fire that occurred on July 14, 2021 on Prospect Avenue.
Morris County officials alleged that Hankin set fire to her room at a residence where she lived with two other individuals, one of whom was still inside the home. As result of Hankin’s actions, a structure fire caused structural damage to the house and rendered it uninhabitable.
This fire also caused the death of a cat. Following the fire, the defendant filed insurance claims related to the fire.
Officials say Hankin has been charged with three counts of Aggravated Arson, a crime of the second degree; Insurance Fraud, a crime of the third degree; Endangering Another Person, a crime of the third degree; and Animal Cruelty, a crime of the third degree.
The charges result from a joint investigation by the Pequannock Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Arson and Environmental Crimes Unit, with the assistance of the Jackson Township (Ocean County) Police Department and the Pequannock Township Fire Department.
Hankin surrendered to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on February 28, and was charged on a warrant. She was granted pretrial release with conditions consistent with the Criminal Justice Reform guidelines.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.
Despite these accusations, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.