'Serial' Graffiti Artist In Court Facing More Vandalism Charges

BOSTON, MA — The alleged graffiti artist who plagued the MBTA is serving six months behind bars for violating his probation on a 2015 vandalism conviction, according to the DA's office.

Back in July Boston police arrested Marc Meadowcroft, 22, about two weeks after video surveillance caught him allegedly drawing his tag sign “CIGA” on a door at the MBTA’s Forest Hills Station. Meadowcroft has four warrants for vandalism and disorderly conduct, according to Transit police who describe Meadowcroft a “serial graffiti” artist.

Meadowcroft was most recently held without bail in the Boston Municipal Court for violating the terms of his probation on earlier vandalism convictions.

The judge ordered Meadowcroft held on $100 bail on each of two charges for tagging property (one at Forest Hills, one at Green Street), but he’s serving six months behind bars for violating his probation on a 2015 tagging conviction so he won’t be able to post, according to the DA's office.

In 2014, Meadowcroft vandalized two vintage trolleys on display at the Boylston Street Station. He was arrested in 2015, pleaded guilty, and agreed to stop vandalizing MTBA property to avoid jail time, police said.

But in 2016, Meadowcroft was allegedly caught on camera spraying graffiti on property in the Green Street Station again, according to a posting on the Transit Police blog.

Then, on July 7, this year Transit Police officers got a call to head to the MBTA's Forest Hills station for a report of fresh graffiti near the doors in the upper bus way. When they got there officers saw significant vandalism with a specific tag they they recognized.

"A quick review of our public safety cameras in the area captured who we believe to be none other than....MARC MEADOWCROFT (YES !!!! that graffiti vandal,)" they posted to their blog.

He's expected to return to court October 19.

In the Commonwealth, graffiti is punishable by up to three years in state prison for a felony charge and up to two years in a house of correction for a misdemeanor. Those who are convicted also face a fine of $1,500 or three times the value of the property marked.

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Photos courtesy MBTA Transit Police