Milwaukee man charged, accused of causing thousands in damage to Church of the Gesu
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 29-year-old has been charged in connection with vandalism that occurred at Church of the Gesu on the Marquette University campus.
Demetres Xavier Martece Henderson has been charged with one count of criminal damage to property.
According to a criminal complaint, on March 18, Henderson was captured on surveillance video entering the church around 7:39 a.m. He was seen on video, per the complaint, damaging items inside the church including statues, lamps, altars, vigil candle holders, wooden chairs and kneelers. In total, Henderson reportedly damaged nine statues.
- St. Peter Cleaver statue
- St. Thomas More statue
- St. Frances Xavier Cabrini statue
- Claude De La Colombiere statue
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga statue
- St. Anthony statue
- St. Jude statue
- St. Anne statue
- St. Jude statue
Vandalism at Church of the Gesu
The director of the church, according to the complaint, estimated the cost of the damage to be around $25,000.
Authorities said Henderson was arrested when he was confronted by a police officer who arrived at the scene approximately 13 minutes after Henderson entered the church.
In court on Saturday, March 21, a judge set Henderson's bond at $1,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the church.
