Two charged in vandalism of Old Philadelphia Church

Two individuals have been charged regarding the vandalism of the Old Philadelphia Church located on Larkin Road in Violet Hill. 

Deputy Brock Simons was dispatched to the church Feb. 4 and spoke with the caretakers of the grounds. One of the caretakers stated he was picking up limbs in front of the church when he noticed the building had been vandalized with spray paint.  

Upside-down crosses were found to be painted along the front and side of the church, as well as letters and a pentagram. 

Initially, the estimated cost to restore the building was $500; however, after the caretakers began the process, they soon discovered the cost would be much higher as the entire structure would need to be painted due to the age of the wood and how it had absorbed the black paint.  

The new estimated cost was said to be greater than $1,000 and less than $5,000. 

After reaching out to the public for help, Izard County Sheriff Charlie Melton received a tip identifying a female suspect 22-year-old Makayla Vickers.  

Investigator Sean Tomlinson then conducted a Post Miranda interview with Vickers on Feb. 7, when she said she had been involved with damaging the church. 

She told authorities she and 24-year-old Lane Keith Morris had both taken part in spray painting the graffiti on the church’s outer walls. 

Authorities learned the act had taken place in broad daylight a few days before it was discovered. 

Vickers stressed her remorse during the interview and acknowledged it was a bad decision on her part. 

Tomlinson and Investigator Tyler Webb then tried to contact Morris at his last known address but were unsuccessful. On Feb. 8, Morris made contact with the sheriff’s department. He stated he wanted to talk with authorities, corroborated Vickers’s statements, and admitted his involvement in damaging the church.   

 As a result, both Vickers and Morris face one count of criminal mischief in the first degree, a class D felony.