ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis County Prosecutor has charged 20-year old Frankie Rizzello with two counts of Property Damage Motivated by Discrimination, a Class D Felony.
The following is a release from the prosecutor's office.
According to a University City Police Department Police Department investigation, between January 1, 2023 and October 11, 2023, the defendant, acting with others, spray-painted "NS Hooligans" on an exterior wall of the One Family Church in University City. The defendant, acting with others, also spray-painted "NSH" on an exterior wall of the Poke Doke Asian Cuisine Restaurant in University City. Damage to each business exceeded $750.
The defendant told police he assisted in the vandalism and advised the graffiti were tags for the NS Hooligans (Nazi Hooligans) movement. The defendant told police that NS Hooligans is a white nationalist movement and stated that he does not like Blacks or Jews.
The Anti Defamation League, a global organization that fights all forms of antisemitism and bias, was essential to bringing these two felony charges.
These charges and this narrative are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent.
"The impact of hate crimes goes far beyond the individual owners of the targeted businesses. These cowardly acts undermine the sense of safety and belonging for entire groups of people who live in our community. Hate has no place here, and my office will prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law,” said St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell.
Rizzello is being held on a $250,0000 cash only bond.