Arrest made in Homer Glen anti-Muslim graffiti incident
A 26-year-old Homer Glen man has been charged with a hate crime for allegedly spraypainting anti-Muslim graffiti on a home in that community, according to Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley's office.
Patrick J. Goshorn, of the 13000 block of Finch Court, also was charged with one felony count and one misdemeanor count of criminal defacement to property, police said in a news release.
On Monday, sheriff's deputies had been called to a home about a block west of where Goshorn lives, where a homeowner stated her vehicle and the sidewalk in front of her home had been vandalized with brown spray paint. The homeowners vehicle had brown spray paint on the taillights, trunk and bumper, and the sidewalk was spraypainted with an anti-Muslim message, police said.
On Tuesday, deputies were called back to the address for an individual being on the property and causing a disturbance, and when police arrived, they saw Goshorn at the corner of Finch and Trailside Drive, just east of where the vandalism had occurred. Police said they were familiar with Goshorn due to past disorderly conduct calls and arrests at his home.
After speaking with residents at the Sparrow Court home, Goshorn was initially arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, then released, police said.
On Wednesday, deputies conducted a consent search of Goshorn's home, where a can of brown spray paint was found, and Goshorn was brought in for an interview, police said.
Additional charges were brought Thursday after a review by the Will County state's attorney, police said.
During a video court appearance Thursday afternoon, bail was set at $100,000, with Goshorn having to post $10,000 to be released, police said. A condition of bond states that if Goshorn is able to bond out, he will be released with an electronic monitoring device and not be permitted within 3,000 feet of the victim or the victim's home, police said.
Goshorn's next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 11.