Crime & Safety

3 Teens Charged With Spray-Painting Racial Slurs On Leto High

Three teens seen on video spray-painting racial and sexist slurs on the exterior of Leto High School have been charged.

CARROLLWOOD, FL -- Three teens seen on video spray-painting racial and sexist slurs on the exterior of Leto High School have been charged with burglary and felony criminal mischief.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested Alexander Valladares, 19, Yonjer Suarez, 18, and Kevin Narvaez, 18, at their homes on Monday, Dec. 3, in connection with the Nov. 26 vandalism (see related story).

"I am proud of our detectives whose hard work resulted in the apprehension of these suspects," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Shame on anyone who would believe that racially disparaging conduct is acceptable in our community where we work so hard to insure equality."

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The graffiti was sprayed on the side of trash cans, concrete walkways, windows, walls, pillars and on the roof of the school at 4409 W. Sligh Ave. between 1 and 3 a.m., causing an estimated $600 in damage.

Among the graffiti were the words "black only" and "white only" sprayed above the drinking fountains. Other graffiti was more explicit, according to the sheriff's office.

Find out what's happening in Carrollwood-Northdalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Video via Hillsborough Sheriff

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