A registered sex offender has been accused of vandalizing Oklahoma’s State Capitol and other governmental structures with graffiti containing anti-ICE slogans, such as “KILL ICE,” alongside incendiary remarks aimed at Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, as reported by authorities.
Shelby Lang Smith was taken into custody on January 23 in relation to multiple instances of vandalism on public property, which included the Civic Center, Oklahoma City Municipal Court building, and the State Capitol.
According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, Smith is facing numerous charges, including ten counts of malicious damage to property and three counts of threatening violent acts.
Authorities have confirmed that the suspect, Shelby Lang Smith, is indeed a registered sex offender.
Fox 25 reported that on February 18, Smith was sentenced to five years in prison for violating probation.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol released a video capturing the arrest on their Facebook page.
He was convicted in 2022 of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor by use of technology, the outlet reported.
The Oklahoma State Capitol building was vandalized in January. (Jeremy Poland/Getty)
“The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) is charged with the protection of the State Capitol and the safety of those who work in and visit this building,” OHP wrote in a statement on Facebook.
“We will aggressively investigate and pursue anyone who threatens that safety or damages public property,” the agency continued. “Acts of vandalism and threats of violence against the Capitol will not be tolerated.”
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