One of the suspects accused of starting and then lying to police about his involvement in the largest Ocean County wildfire in 20 years will be released from jail.

That’s the decision a judge handed down to 19-year-old Joseph Kling.

“All we have is an individual who they allege brought pallets to a location, was involved in lighting these pallets, and as a consequence, the surrounding forest was burned,” said defense attorney Joe Compitello.

Compitello’s argument to Judge Pamela Snyder was enough to send Kling home from jail, where he will now wear an electronic monitoring device throughout the justice process.

According to prosecutors, on Monday, April 21, Kling and three others arrived in the woods, where Kling and a juvenile started a bonfire using wooden pallets and gasoline.

One of the friends crashed a dirt bike around the time Kling started the fire – the police responded, and the others left the area without extinguishing the fire. The next day, the fire spread, eventually forcing thousands to evacuate before burning 15,300 acres.

“Officers noted that during their initial conversation with ‘JM,’ he advised he and the defendant were going to tell the police that Mexicans were in the area at the time of the fire. The defendant also mentioned this while he spoke to police,” said assistant prosecutor Gregory Lenzi.

Both Kling and the juvenile suspect were slapped with hindering charges following this conversation with police after investigators said only the four friends were present at the scene.

Kling also faces charges from an unrelated incident back in January in Lacey Township.

“The defendant has pending charges of disorderly persons simple assault and endangering an injured victim in the third degree,” said Judge Pamela Snyder.

After weighing testimony from both sides, Judge Snyder agreed to electronic monitoring at the highest level just one step down from prison.

“However, the alleged conduct of the defendant in these matters has resulted in the escalation from placing one person’s life in danger to placing in danger approximately 3000 persons in danger who had to be evacuated from their homes,” said Judge Snyder.

Both Kling and the juvenile suspect face aggravated arson and hindering charges – if convicted, Kling could spend 10 years in state prison on the second-degree aggravated arson charge.

Kling’s next court appearance is scheduled in front of Judge Guy Ryan on the morning of May 19.