Subject Charged In Destruction Of Town Of Leesburg Property

Press release from the Town of Leesburg:

10/26/2020

UPDATE #1:

Leesburg, VA (10/26/2020) – The Leesburg Police Department Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) continues to investigate a destruction of Town of Leesburg property that occurred on September 11, 2020 in the 400 block of South King Street. Detectives identified 29 year old Jessie Patton of Fairfax, Virginia as a suspect in the ongoing investigation and subsequently charged her with one misdemeanor count of destruction of property. Ms. Patton was served with the warrant by a local law enforcement agency on 10/25/2020, and was released on her signature promising to appear in court.

The incident remains under investigation by the Leesburg Police Department. Anyone who can provide additional information about the incident is asked to contact Detective J. Mocello at 703-771-4500 or at jmocello@leesburgva.gov. If you wish to remain anonymous please call the Leesburg Crime Line at 703-443-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent using TIPSUBMIT via text. Text 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your message with LPDTIP.

ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE:

Leesburg Police Investigate Destruction of Town of Leesburg Property

Leesburg, VA (September 14, 2020) – The Leesburg Police Department Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) is investigating a destruction of Town of Leesburg property that occurred Friday evening in the 400 block of South King Street.

On September 11, 2020 at approximately 6:55 PM, Leesburg Police Dispatchers received a report of approximately 20-25 people wearing black masks on the sidewalk in the 400 block of South King Street. The caller advised that one of the subjects was painting a letter on the sidewalk. Leesburg Police Officers responded and located the group who were involved in a protest, with at least one subject utilizing a megaphone. Officers observed “LIBEREN A TODXS” and “FREE THEM ALL!” painted on the public brick sidewalk in large blue letters. A subject who claimed to be the organizer of the group advised that they are protesting for the release of all inmates currently incarcerated in a detention center in Farmville, VA. Officers requested that the group lower their volume, as well as offered the group an opportunity to clean up the paint on the sidewalk. The group claimed that the paint was washable and easily removable, however Loudoun County Fire Rescue attempted and was unable to remove the paint that evening. The paint has since been removed by the Town of Leesburg Department of Public Works.

The incident remains under investigation by the Leesburg Police Department. Anyone who witnessed the incident and who has not already spoken to law enforcement is asked to contact Detective J. Mocello at 703-771-4500 or at jmocello@leesburgva.gov. If you wish to remain anonymous please call the Leesburg Crime Line at 703-443-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent using TIPSUBMIT via text. Text 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your message with LPDTIP.

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Media Contact:
Officer Michael Drogin, Public Information Officer
Email: mdrogin@leesburgva.gov, 703-771-4538

This press release was produced by the Town of Leesburg. The views expressed are the author's own.