A local man was arraigned yesterday for allegedly writing, "Your SSN is the mark of the Beast" and "666 USA" on the pulpit in St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 109 McAllister St., in November.
Jeremy Echler, 24, has been charged by the State College Police Department with a felony count of institutional vandalism and misdemeanor charges of desecration or sale of venerated objects and criminal mischief for allegedly making the marks sometime between Nov. 20 and 21.
Echler was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Grine.
According to court documents, a church custodian found "666" written on the walls in the sanctuary and on open pages of the Bible in the front of the church.
However, there was no sign of forced entry, the documents said.
State College Police Sgt. Mark Argiro said police are also investigating two more incidents of spray paint vandalism that were discovered yesterday.
The phrases "Bush = 666" and "April Fools" were written on the side of a building at 113 W. College Ave., Argiro said.
Also, one exterior wall of a building at 1060 Bayberry Drive was spray painted with various symbols and words between 5 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. yesterday.
Argiro said he could not elaborate on the content of the vandalism.
Although the most recent incidents may be related to each other, they are not necessarily connected to Echler, Argiro said.
Police first suspected Echler of the November crime when an officer assisted borough employees with entering Echler's residence at 234 S. Allen St. to complete repairs on the house.
The officer noticed writings on the walls of the house with anti-government or satanic sentiment, including "Your Social Security Number is the anti-Christ" and "666," the documents said.
State College Police Sgt. John Wilson said the most serious charge is the third degree felony of institutional vandalism, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years and a $15,000 fine.
The charges come in the middle of a local police investigation of several incidents of vandalism on and off campus.
"He has not been charged or arraigned on the other ones," Argiro said.
The exterior of St. Paul's was spray painted with "666" and the words, "John Paul II rest in peace" on April 3.
On March 27, the word "tang" was found spray painted on 20 buildings on campus, and a suspected arson caused $100,000 damage at the new School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture building.
A possible symbol of anarchy was also spray painted on several on and off campus buildings between April 2 and 6.
The investigation into the anarchy symbols is still continuing, Penn State University Police Supervisor Thomas Sowerby said.
Argiro would not say if the State College Police Department is considering Echler as a suspect in the other cases.
Police have also charged Echler with institutional vandalism and criminal mischief for allegedly slashing four tires on two State College Police vehicles Feb. 21, according to court documents.
