Hate Crime Charges Filed Against Downstate Man Accused of Spraypainting Swastikas on Graves
Charges were filed against a 34 year-old Glen Carbon man on Tuesday stemming from vandalism at a cemetery in the downstate town, as well as vandalism in the Edwardsville area. Timothy V. McClean was charged four counts of hate crime, three counts of institutional vandalism, one count of violating the Cemetery Protection Act, and 14 counts of criminal damage to property in connection with hundreds of swastikas spraypainted in Sunset Hill Cemetery along with nearby cars and residences. The swastikas were painted over the Memorial Day weekend, and McClean was arrested as the suspect on Saturday. "We would like to thank the citizens who worked with law enforcement authorities to bring this case to a swift resolution," said Glen Carbon police in a statement. (Belleville News-Democrat)