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Man who vandalized California synagogue charged with hate crimes

Klinton Allister Dion faces 12 counts of criminal conduct.

Shops in Burbank, California
Vintage clothing shops in the Magnolia Park area of Burbank, Calif. Credit: Junkyardsparkle via Wikimedia Commons.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles County issued an arrest warrant for the suspect in a series of antisemitic vandalism, including at the Temple Emanu El in Burbank, Calif.

Klinton Allister Dion, 32, allegedly drew an Iron Cross and swastika at a Glendale IHOP and SS symbols on a garage and washing machine on Nov. 24 at an apartment complex in Burbank. Two hours later, he allegedly vandalized the synagogue.

Between Nov. 22 and Nov. 27, Burbank’s Emmanuel Church also received swastika vandalism. On Nov. 25, Dion allegedly drew swastikas on a Glendale Water and Power electric box, metal newspaper stand, bridge, Commercial Kitchen and Glendale’s Moonlight Rollerway. That day, Dion also allegedly drew an SS at a local storage facility.

He faces two counts of vandalism of religious property, a hate crime; and 10 counts of hate crime for displaying a Nazi symbol on public and private property. A judge could impose a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

“The escalating wave of antisemitic attacks against the Jewish community will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County,” said District Attorney George Gascón. “We have a zero tolerance for such behavior, and our Hate Crimes Unit will work diligently to continue prosecuting such crimes.”

“We already have demonstrated that hate and hateful acts are not going to be tolerated, and so if we could even take it a step further to define antisemitism and what that is like, then I want to be able to take that,” Jeannette Sánchez-Palacios told JNS.
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