A San Diego resident who allegedly vandalized several local places of worship, as well as a religious altar at a private residence, pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony and misdemeanor charges.
The 47-year-old man is accused of spray-painting two churches and a synagogue with profane messages in January and February.
Deputy District Attorney Mei Owen said the defendant faces up to 13 years in state prison if convicted of all charges, which include interference with civil rights, vandalism of religious property for intimidation, and arson.
The places of worship allegedly vandalized are University Christian Church in Hillcrest, St. Paul’s Cathedral in Bankers Hill and Ohr Shalom Synagogue, also in Bankers Hill.
The man also accused of pouring alcohol on a religious altar outside a person’s home and trying to set the altar on fire in December, but was unsuccessful, according to Owen. The prosecutor said he returned to the same home a month later and vandalized several religious statues at the residence.
The prosecutor did not say what led law enforcement to suspect the man was responsible for the crimes, nor did she give a motive for allegedly targeting those locations.
The man was booked into county jail on Monday on $250,000 bail. A judge reduced the his bail to $200,000 during Thursday’s arraignment, although there is a hearing scheduled later this month to review his bail.
