Homer Glen Man Charged With Hate Crime, Islamophobic Graffiti

HOMER GLEN, IL — A Homer Glen man has been charged with a hate crime after a vandalism incident on Sept. 17, the Will County Sheriff's Office said. Patrick Goshorn Jr., 26, of the 13000 block of Finch Court, has been charged with criminal defacement to property, criminal damage to property and one count of a hate crime.

Officers were called to a home on West Sparrow Court on Sept. 17 regarding vandalized property. The homeowner told police her car had been damaged by brown spray paint and the sidewalk in front of her home had been defaced, police said. Deputies then saw the 2013 Toyota which had spray paint on the taillights, trunk and bumper.

The sidewalk was spray painted with an Islamophobic message, "Muhammad p**s be upon him." Police said the homeowner had no idea who would do this.

As the investigation was underway, deputies responded to a call at the Sparrow Court home about an individual on the property causing a disturbance. Police said when they arrived, they saw Goshorn on the corner of Finch and Trailside. Deputies are familiar with Goshorn due to several past disorderly conduct calls and arrests at his home. Police said they attempted to speak with him but he refused to answer any of the deputy’s questions.

Police spoke to the homeowner of the vandalized home who had a relative pulling out of the driveway around 5 p.m. when he saw Goshorn behind his car acting strange. Goshorn began waving around a large glass of beer while yelling and being verbally aggressive. The homeowner heard Goshorn, came outside and then called 911 after seeing Goshorn's behavior.

Goshorn was taken into custody after that incident and charged with disorderly conduct. He was booked into the Will County Adult Detention Facility and was released on an I-bond.

On Sept. 19, police then went to Goshorn's residence and conducted a consent search. Police said a can of "leather brown" spray paint was found in plain sight in the garage. Goshorn was brought to the Investigations Division and interviewed. He was then charged with one count of felony criminal damage to property and one count of felony criminal damage to state supported property.

The case was turned over to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office for review on Thursday. They have announced that additional charges on Goshorn will include one felony count and one misdemeanor count of criminal defacement to property and one count of a hate crime.

Police said Goshorn appeared in video court this afternoon. Bond was set at $100,000 with 10 percent to apply. A condition of the bond states that if Goshorn is able to bond out he will be released with an electronic monitoring devise and is not allowed to be within 3,000 feet of the victim or the victim’s residence.

Goshorn’s next court date is set for Oct. 11 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom #405 of the Will County Courthouse.

Photo provided by Will County Sheriff's Office.