A Black Lives Matter activist was arrested Tuesday for allegedly vandalizing a statue of former President Abraham Lincoln with feces and paint in Boise, Idaho.
Terry Joe Wilson, 37, was detained after an arrest warrant was issued last week, according to The Idaho Statesman. Physical and electronic evidence was used to identify the suspect in the February incident.
“[T]he bronze statue of Lincoln in Julia Davis Park — known as ‘Seated Lincoln’ — vandalized with feces, paint and signs,” The Idaho Statesman reported. “Parks and recreation staff were able to clean the statue, which was not permanently damaged.”
Wilson initially fled when he was approached by officers, officials said. Upon his arrest, law enforcement found Wilson was in possession of a gun, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
“Officers chased after Wilson and were able to stop him and take him into custody, at which time Wilson was found to be in possession of a firearm, marijuana and drug paraphernalia,” said a press release from the department. “Wilson was taken to the hospital and was medically cleared before being booked into the Ada County Jail.”
According to the Statesman, Wilson was charged with multiple misdemeanor counts, including injuring monuments, ornaments and public improvements, resisting and obstructing officers, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Boise city officials condemned the vandalism when the incident occurred last month.
“Vandalism is a crime, never appropriate, and those committing these crimes will be held accountable,” Mayor Lauren McLean said at the time. “At a time when our democracy is fragile, this is particularly disturbing as President Lincoln sought to keep our fractured nation together and to address the scourge of slavery — losing his life for it.”
Boise police said the investigation is ongoing and they are anticipating additional arrests.
The Daily Wire reported that Wilson identified himself as a Boise State University associate professor, but the school later told the news outlet that the suspect is “not a current student nor employee of the university.”
A post on Wilson’s Instagram page included condemnation of “fascist Donald Trump and neoliberal Joe Biden.” The post also includes support of Black Lives Matter.
“Like the fascist @realdonaldtrump, the neoliberal @joebiden wants to increase police funding despite decades of research to support the position that police do not prevent crime. In-fact policing perpetuates crime & criminality with the support of the courts and corrections,” his post stated.
He continued, “As a student & faculty, I take matters on campus very seriously, not only for the safety of our students, but staff and faculty.”
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