A man from Ventura was sentenced last week to five years and four months in state prison for a slew of charges, including three hate crimes, multiple acts of vandalism and possessing a weapon illegally.
John Williams had previously pleaded guilty to the following counts on Aug. 19, the Ventura County District Attorney’s office says:
- Three felony counts of vandalism for damage exceeding $400
- Three felony hate crime counts of placing a terrorizing symbol on private property
- Two misdemeanor counts of vandalism
- One misdemeanor count of possession of a stun gun by a felon
The incidents occurred in Ventura on Mar. 30 when Williams spraypainted multiple swastikas on properties across the city. The first call, according to the DA’s Office, was reported by a business owner who told officers that a swastika and “VC Pride” were tagged on a wall.
“As officers investigated, they received four additional reports of swastika graffiti found on both public and private properties in Ventura,” the DA’s Office explained. “Williams is seen on surveillance footage at two of the locations around the time the vandalism took place, and the sound of spray paint can be heard on the video before Williams is seen again fleeing the scene.”
Williams was eventually located by the officers, who uncovered evidence tying him to the vandalism. He was charged with the crimes on April 4.
“A further review of his social media activity revealed that he had been documenting graffiti at one location and posted images online while implying that someone else was responsible,” officials said.
The 32-year-old, who is a convicted rapist, also admitted to the special allegations for committing the crimes while on parole and having a prior felony conviction.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko emphasized that Williams’ conviction goes further than just getting a vandal off the street.
“Defacing our community with swastikas is more than vandalism, it is an act meant to intimidate, divide, and instill fear,” District Attorney Nasarenko said. “This sentence delivers accountability to the defendant and affirms that Ventura County will not tolerate hate-driven crimes against our residents and neighborhoods.”
One of the victims of the vandalism read a victim impact statement at Williams’ Sept. 17 sentencing, underscoring how much the incidents affected the community.
“His deliberate choice to plaster Nazi swastikas—symbols of hate, fear, and division—across public and private spaces was not mere vandalism, but an attack on the safety and unity our community strives to maintain,” the victim said. “No one should have to live in fear of hate symbols or the hidden danger of someone like John Williams.”
The post Convicted rapist gets over 5 years in prison for hate crimes, multiple acts of vandalism, weapons violation appeared first on KTLA.
