Ephraim man charged with posting anti-police graffiti

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SALT LAKE CITY — An Ephraim man has been charged with drawing anti-police sentiments on buildings around the Sanpete County city.

The 18-year-old faces four counts of graffiti violations, one class A misdemeanor and three class B misdemeanors.

The investigation began on May 31, the day after a peaceful protest over the death of George Floyd and calls for police reform in Salt Lake City turned into a violent riot. Someone painted in red, “No Justis No” followed by a peace symbol, on the road at 200 East 100 North, according to a search warrant affidavit.

More graffiti was reported on June 1 which included, “cop=scum,” “We can’t breath,” “100,000 dead,” and “Am I next?” as well as “killers work here” written in chalk at Ephraim City Hall, the warrant states.

Signs were placed on the the east and west doors of City Hall stating “Ephraim City PD is COMPLICIT,” “Ephraim cops hate Mexicans” and “The government does NOT care about YOU,” according to the affidavit.

More graffiti found June 2 on the Ephraim Public Library and on the sidewalk in front of a church meetinghouse.

Using video recorded on surveillance cameras from some of the buildings that were tagged, police were able to identify the man, the warrant states, and he was interviewed by detectives.

He said he was upset the signs he posted were removed, and “felt like having the signs removed was a violation of his freedom of speech ... so he decided to spray paint messages,” according to the warrant.

He was scheduled to make an initial appearance in court on Wednesday.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/36LcLbA