School defaced with swastikas, threats and other graffiti

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett announced today that one of three minors, all Hinsdale Central High School students, entered a plea of guilty today for a hate crime that vandalized the high school earlier this year.

At approximately 2:30 a.m. February 21, the three students allegedly entered school property near the football field and defaced the wall of the school with anti-Semitic messages, swastikas and other graffiti. 

The three students were charged in Juvenile Court with Hate Crimes – Criminal Damage to Property, Institutional Vandalism and Criminal Defacement of Property. 

“The charges against these three young boys are very serious,” remarked Birkett.  “My office has absolutely zero tolerance for crimes rooted in hate.  It is imperative that we do all we can to ward off the types of attitudes and beliefs responsible for hate crimes before young offenders, such as these three boys, graduate to more serious, violent crimes.”    

The minor is scheduled for sentencing on August 16 in front of Judge Patrick Leston.  One of the two remaining minor defendant’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 19 while the other minor defendant’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 28.

Members of the public are reminded that a juvenile petition contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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