Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón on Tuesday announced that Klinton Dion is charged with anti-Semitic vandalisms on public and private property, including Temple Emanu El, in Burbank and Glendale.
“The escalating wave of anti-Semitic attacks against the Jewish community will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County,” stated Gascón. “We have a zero tolerance for such behavior and our Hate Crimes Unit will work diligently to continue prosecuting such crimes.”
Klinton Allister Dion, 33, is charged with two counts of vandalism of religious property hate crime and 10 counts of hate crime – displaying a Nazi symbol, etc. – on public and private property. It is further alleged that the offense is a hate crime and was committed for the purpose of intimidating and deterring persons from freely exercising their religious beliefs.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Dion.
On Nov. 24, Dion allegedly went to an IHOP in Glendale where he left behind drawings of an Iron Cross and a swastika. About two hours later, he allegedly vandalized Temple Emanu El in Burbank by drawing a large swastika and an Iron Cross on the property.
On or about Nov. 24, Dion allegedly drew “SS” symbols on the walls of a garage and laundry machines at an apartment complex located in Burbank.
Between Nov. 22 and Nov. 27, the Emmanuel Church located in Burbank was also vandalized with a swastika. On or about Nov. 25, a large swastika was drawn on the side of a Glendale Water and Power electrical box, a metal newspaper stand belonging to the City of Glendale and on a bridge in the city. On Nov. 25, a large Iron Cross, a swastika and an “SS” were drawn on the Moonlight Rollerway property in the city of Glendale. Around the same time, an “SS” was drawn on the property of Extra Space Storage Center, and a swastika was drawn on the property of the Commercial Kitchen.
In the interest of public safety, the prosecution recommended that Dion be held on a $650,000 bail. The court set bail at $65,000. If convicted as charged, Dion will face a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison.
The case was investigated by the Burbank and Glendale police departments.
The public can report crimes of hate by calling 9-1-1. Report hate incidents by calling Los Angeles County’s LA vs. Hate hotline at 2-1-1.