Sgt. Tom Wilson, right, and Lt. Billy Brown escort Mark Vincent Peterson, 33, the suspect in citywide painting vandalism.(Jon GiffinThe Vicksburg Post)

[11/26/03]A 33-year-old Vicksburg man was arrested Tuesday and accused of all graffiti painted on national park, church and city property since Thursday.

Authorities said they could give no reason why they think Mark Vincent Peterson, who refused to give an address, went on a spree of painting messages, including “Jesus is coming. Repent y’all.”

He was arrested by National Park Service and Vicksburg police officers at 4:15 p.m. at Navy Circle, off Washington Street near the Mississippi River bridges.

Park officials said they spotted a dark green or blue 1994 Honda Accord their suspect had been driving, and Peterson was seen nearby, police spokesman DaVon Grey said.

Local and federal authorities said today Peterson was accused of painting the 21 discovered messages, all with religious themes.

“We’re not speculating on any motive right now,” said Patty Montague, supervisory ranger for the Vicksburg National Military Park. “We’re finishing up our investigation and looking at what charges will be filed.”

Police charged Peterson in all eight paintings of non-federal property in the city. Messages were found on six Vicksburg church buildings, one synagogue and one city restroom building at Riverfront Park.

Peterson was in the Warren County Jail this morning charged with malicious mischief as a felony under a statute that took effect July 1. Coincidentally, the law was drafted by Warren County District Attorney Gil Martin at the request of his fellow prosecutors. Crimestoppers had offered a reward for leads in the case.

The state law provides for a maximum penalty of five years in prison and payment of a $10,000 fine plus restitution for damages caused. Depending on damage-assessment totals, the eight instances of graffiti would likely be aggregated into a single count of that crime, Martin said.

Police said the Honda was processed for evidence and towed away.

Montague said she would meet Monday with staff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Jackson to discuss federal charges for vandalism in the park. A federal grand jury convenes early in December.

Either the state or federal government or both could prosecute.

First reports of the graffiti were Thursday morning in 12 areas in the park and on four church buildings, all with “Church of Christ” in their names.

The vandalism was along the 13 miles of the Civil War park’s north loop at the state memorials of Illinois, Mississippi and Wisconsin; pedestals of statues of Confederate Brig. Gen. Lloyd Tilghman and President Jefferson Davis; a bust of Maj. Gen. Dabney Maury of Mississippi; a relief faceplate of Capt. Toby Hart of Louisiana; and smaller monuments to units of Indiana, Louisiana and Minnesota. Two cannons at separate park areas near the Mississippi River bridges were also found painted.

Church of Christ-Warrenton, 150 Redbone Road; Church of Christ, 725 Mission 66; Bypass Church of Christ, 787 U.S. 61 North; and Vicksburg Church of Christ, 3333 N. Frontage Road, were also found painted Thursday or early Friday.

Over the next few days, similar graffiti was also found at St. Michael Catholic Church off Fisher Ferry Road; Anshe Chesed Temple, 2414 Grove St.; Hawkins United Methodist Church, 3736 Halls Ferry Road; on the VNMP North Carolina memorial on Confederate Avenue outside the park and in the restroom at Riverfront Park.

Martin said the felony malicious mischief charge against Peterson is probably the first one to be filed in the state under the new law.

Gray said the vandalism cases are not believed connected to paint vandalism at Vicksburg and Warren Central high schools just before and after a football game between the two this month.