LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A man accused of spray-painting swastikas over political campaign signs across the Las Vegas Valley has been booked into custody after failing to appear in court.
David Lawrence Smith, 73, was arrested on a bench warrant for defacing property valued over $5,000, according to Clark County Detention Center records.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, Aug. 31, at 7:30 a.m.
The arrest follows a bench warrant issued Thursday morning by Las Vegas Judge Eric Goodman. Smith had missed a scheduled court hearing after initially being released from custody following his first arrest on Monday, Aug. 24.
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The investigation began after the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Counter Terrorism Section received reports of swastikas being spray-painted over the face of California Governor Gavin Newsom on at least 60 campaign signs.
The signs, paid for by the Better Nevada PAC, sustained damages and replacement costs estimated at $6,373.43.
Detectives tracked Smith down at the Primm Valley Casino using surveillance camera footage and license plate readers that tied his vehicle to multiple vandalism locations.
With his arrest on the bench warrant, Smith is expected to remain held until his Monday morning hearing.
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