Orange Co. Sheriff charges two Democrats caught on camera vandalizing Trump signs
If a Democrat vandalizes a Trump sign in one of North Carolina's bluest counties and no one is around to see it, will they face any consequences?
Christopher John Acciavatti, 41, and Patricia Griffin Isbell, 87, were each issued a misdemeanor citation by the Orange County Sheriff's Office after cameras set up by a proactive citizen caught them vandalizing political signs supporting former President Donald Trump and Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson outside the neighborhood they both reside in.
“Residents in the neighborhood are tired of having their private property stolen and vandalized every other day, dealing with having to repair signs, put them back up or get new ones,” says “Jane”, the owner of the cameras who wishes to remain anonymous. “We feel like we can not express our freedom of speech or political perspectives where we reside due to the bad actors in the neighborhood who take it upon themselves to decide what speech can represented in the neighborhood.”
Pedestrian vandalism: 10/30
According to “Jane”, Acciavatti, a registered Democrat, was identified after he was recognized from a video showing a pedestrian kicking over a Trump sign on Linden Road near his home, with a Robinson sign down on the ground as well.
Vehicular vandalism: 10/28
Video captured by the same camera as well as by another camera down the road captures a Honda Accord driving off the road to run over Trump signs at both locations.
Isbell, also a registered Democrat, was identified after the vehicle was spotted parked at her nearby home, according to “Jane”.
Acciavatti and Isbell are charged under N.C.G.S. § 136-32(e), which makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor to steal, deface, vandalize, or unlawfully remove a lawfully placed political sign. Under the state's misdemeanor punishment statute, the sole sentence for a person convicted of a Class 3 misdemeanor with fewer than four prior convictions is a fine of up to $200.
“Jane” says she is thankful to deputy sheriff who investigated and filed these charges, Pablo Chavez, for his “hard work and swift action in upholding the law.”