The Federal Bureau of Investigation released a photo of an unknown suspect that they claim is responsible for the defacement of the Paul Simon Federal Building that allegedly occurred on the evening of Tuesday, June 10 in Carbondale.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.
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The U.S. Department of Justice launched the investigation on Wednesday, June 11, just a day after a protest and march was held in Carbondale, during which they allege the defacement took place.
A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois accused “criminals” of “targeted vandalism” during the protest, but it is unclear what kind of vandalism occurred.
Protesters in Carbondale told the Daily Egyptian that last week’s protests were held “because the fascist overreach of the federal government, which has been snowballing for a long time now, has reached a breaking point.”
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At around 8:35 p.m. during the protest on June 10, demonstrators lit smoke devices and flares outside of the federal building and then continued marching onto University Avenue and back to the corner of Mill Street and Illinois Avenue, where their march had begun.
As the protesters departed from the federal building and continued their march, police officers and members of the media went to assess any potential damage to the building and the surrounding area.
No damage was observed by the DE and no arrests were made after the police conducted their search.
When the investigation was launched the following day, the Daily Egyptian and other members of the local media returned to the scene to see if any damage had been done overnight. None was found.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher J.S. Johnson both vowed to pursue and prosecute those involved.
“There are bright lines separating where speech ends and criminal conduct begins,” Weinhoeft said in the release. Those who committed this targeted vandalism to federal property will be pursued and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Johnson echoed that sentiment: “The individuals who defaced the building last night will be identified and charged, as well as those who aid and abet them.”
As the march concluded, Carbondale police stayed around to continue monitoring the situation as protesters dispersed.
As the police left the scene around 9 p.m., there had been no injuries, no violence and no observable vandalism throughout Carbondale.
It is unclear whether or not the ignition of smoke and flares outside of the federal building is what the Department of Justice is considering “targeted vandalism to federal property,” or if something happened to the building that only the Department of Justice would recognize, or if whatever alleged damage was done has already been corrected.
Lauren Barry Duncan, Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois, told the DE that there are no more details available concerning the alleged damage at the federal building during the protest.
Aside from the newly released photo of a suspect, the office will not release any further information while the investigation is ongoing.
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