New Jersey man who carved swastika in family's lawn pleads guilty

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (WPVI) -- An Ocean County man accused of carving a swastika in someone's front yard entered a guilty plea Monday.

36-year-old Scott Cooney of Lakewood plead guilty to one count of fourth degree Bias Intimidation.

The plea stems from his arrest in August 2014. Prosecutors alleged that Cooney used what appeared to be a lead pipe to carve a swastika into the lawn outside a Lakewood home.

The homeowners said Cooney had verbally harassed and threatened them on prior occasions.

Cooney is scheduled to learn his sentence on August 21st. The prosecutor's office is seeking 15 months in New Jersey State Prison.

A No Contact order remains in effect to prevent Cooney from communicating with the two homeowners.