Man charged with vandalizing Rep. Kelly’s Hermitage office
The Hermitage Police Department has filed charges against an individual for vandalizing the office of U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th.
Joe M. Lemons, 46, of Sharon, was arrested Monday, July 28, and charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief and harassment. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review first reported the arrest’s connection to the vandalism Monday afternoon.
Kelly released a statement on Saturday that his Hermitage office had been vandalized with messages containing accusations toward Kelly and the Republican Party, as well as statements like “mental illness is not a crime.”
Kelly said in the statement local law enforcement and U.S. Capitol Police were investigating the incident and that no staff members were in the office at the time of the incident.
Kelly’s district includes Butler, Lawrence, Erie, Mercer, Crawford and parts of Venango counties.
“Let’s be clear: political violence and vandalism are never acceptable,” Kelly said Saturday.
