CANOGA PARK : Man Denies Guilt in School Vandalism
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An 18-year-old Lancaster man pleaded not guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of vandalism for allegedly leading two juveniles on a graffiti spree at a Canoga Park middle school.
Jesse Clay Adams appeared before Van Nuys Municipal Court Commissioner Mitchell Block, who scheduled a trial for June 17.
About 20 spray-painted signs were scrawled in a courtyard at Christopher Columbus Junior High School during the early-morning hours of April 18. Police say Adams and two Simi Valley residents are responsible for damage that cost school officials $1,000 to clean up.
The trio was taken into custody after a neighbor alerted police to suspicious activity on the Elkwood Street campus.
While authorities initially thought the vandalism was done by a group of “taggers,” Deputy City Atty. Gary Geuss said Thursday it appears the graffiti markings were gang-related.
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