Gainesville Vandal Sentenced to Jail for Threats and Property Damage

James Dewar, a vandal who committed acts of vandalism at Gainesville City Hall and the Old Library Building, has been sentenced to 270 days in jail and 3 years of probation. He pleaded nolo contendere to threatening a public servant and three counts of property damage. Dewar is required to compensate the city for $15,169 in damages and has been banned from City Hall and the Old Library Building.

James Dewar, a local resident of Gainesville, Florida, was recently sentenced to 270 days in jail and three years of probation for committing acts of vandalism at the city hall and the old library building, as well as threatening a public servant [1]. The incidents occurred in March 2024, during which Dewar smashed windows and left threatening notes expressing discontent over the city's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives [2].

Dewar, 42, pleaded no contest to charges including threatening a public servant and three counts of property damage exceeding $1,000 [1]. The damage he caused to the city buildings amounted to $15,169, which he is required to pay in restitution [1]. In addition, Dewar will undergo inpatient mental health treatment as part of his probation [1].

The first incident occurred on March 2, when the front glass doors of the old library building were smashed, and a note was found inside the building [2]. The note contained hateful language, opposing DEI initiatives, and threatened retribution [2]. Video surveillance footage showed Dewar wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a jacket with the hood raised, walking through the north side of the city hall parking lot [2].

Following these events, Gainesville Police increased security measures at city hall to ensure the safety of municipal employees and visitors [1]. Mayor Harvey Ward reaffirmed the city's commitment to its DEI initiatives, stating that such acts of vandalism would not deter their work [1].

References:

[1] VTNews.ai. (2024, August 25). Man who vandalized, threatened bomb Gainesville City Hall arrested. Retrieved from https://vtnews.ai/stories/3ad76648-e989-41b5-bc0b-0af01c88fc2c

[2] WCJB.com. (2024, August 25). Man who vandalized, threatened bomb Gainesville City Hall arrested. Retrieved from https://www.wcjb.com/2024/08/25/man-who-vandalized-threatened-bomb-gainesville-city-hall-arrested/