Police charge man with vandalizing Pa. lawmaker’s office over the weekend
(TNS) — Police in western Pennsylvania have charged a man with vandalizing a Republican congressman’s office over the weekend.
Hermitage City Police Chief Adam Piccirillo told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that Joe Lemons, a 47-year-old Sharon resident, had been charged in the incident at U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly’s office in Mercer County.
According to online court records, Lemons has been charged with criminal mischief and harassment, both misdemeanors. He has an arraignment and preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 14.
“Final determination on criminal charges and primary prosecutorial jurisdiction is pending further consultation with (the U.S.) Capitol Police and the Mercer County District Attorney’s Office,” Piccirillo told the Tribune-Review in an email.
Kelly’s office was vandalized with offensive language and criticisms of the GOP painted in red across the glass front doors and windows.
Kelly, a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, shared photos online showing the vandalism included “ass kisser liar” being painted on the front door and “child rape” and “GOP = racism, rape, child rape, cover up” on the front windows.
A spokesman for Kelly said the graffiti was removed over the weekend.
The child rape and cover up accusations apparently refer to the ongoing controversy involving a supposed list owned by child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that names business and political leaders, including Trump, who may have attended sex parties with girls and young women.