WCSO NEWS RELEASE
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office recently completed an investigation with the arrest of a 16 year-old male juvenile for 70 acts of graffiti vandalism. The juvenile was booked into the Jan Evans Juvenile Detention Center on one felony count of placing graffiti or defacing property.
The 70 graffiti vandalism cases which the juvenile was responsible for totaled approximately $12,175 in property damage. This juvenile primarily vandalized street signs, utility boxes, electrical panels, roadways and concrete sidewalks within the city of Sparks and unincorporated areas of Washoe County.
The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public that graffiti vandalism falls under Chapter 206 in the Nevada Revised Statues – Malicious Mischief. The Sheriff’s Office was able to arrest the juvenile on a felony charge, since the aggregate value of the loss was over $5,000.
In this specific case, the parent or legal guardian is liable for all fines and penalties imposed against the juvenile. If the parent or legal guardian is unable to pay the fine and penalties resulting from the violation because of financial hardship, the court may require the parent of legal guardian to perform community service.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages parents or legal guardians to educate their children on graffiti laws and the consequences of their actions. The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and enforce graffiti laws in Nevada. Through the Sheriff’s Community Work Program, supervised jail sentenced inmates go out into the community to perform graffiti abatement.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office celebrated 150 years of proud service and community partnership in 2011. Sheriff Michael Haley is the 24th person elected to serve as the sheriff of Washoe County. His office continues to be the only full service public safety agency operating within northern Nevada and is responsible for operating the consolidated detention facility, regional crime lab, Northern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, court security, service of civil process and traditional street patrols.
