A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to carving a swastika into a gay couple's front yard last year.
Scott Cooney, 46, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree bias intimidation Monday after he harassed his neighbors in Lakewood and used a lead pipe to carve the symbol into their front yard in August.
Prosecutors are seeking a 15-month prison stint for the man, who has been ordered not to contact the couple.
The couple, Fred Blumberg and Pete Costello, had told police that Cooney had harassed them for being gay in the months leading up to the vandalism.
Blumberg, who is Jewish, told NBC 4 New York last year that Cooney said his mother should have "burned in the ovens" and Blumberg should get it next. He also allegedly quoted Adolph Hitler.
Cooney posted bail after being arrested last year, but was re-arrested for violating a no-contact order.
