Man charged in anti-McCain vandalism

Police have charged a Gainesville man in connection with a rash of pre-election vandalism targeting the campaign of Republican candidate John McCain.

Daniel Marion Jackson, 23, of 13118 Bigleaf Maple Court, faces 21 counts of misdemeanor destruction of property, Prince William County police Officer Erika Hernandez said. He was arrested Wednesday.

Twelve houses, a church, seven businesses and a home owner’s association sign in Gainesville were spray painted with anti-McCain sentiments, profanity and the number 666 on Oct. 25.
Police said they identified Jackson during their investigation and he turned himself in. He is being held without bond and has a court date of Dec. 3.

The properties damaged include the Giant, Burger King, Target, DSW Shoes, Best Buy,  Mimi’s Café and Shopper’s Food Warehouse in the Virginia Gateway area. Also hit was the United Pentecostal Church on Glenkirk Road, four houses in the 7700 block of Royal Sydney Drive, one house in the 14100 block of Clubhouse Road, one house in the 8100 block of Narrow Branch Court, two houses in the 8200 block of Tenbrook Drive, one house in the 14000 block of Sterling Pointe Drive, one house in the 7700 block of Virginia Oaks Drive, two houses in the 12000 block of Maiden Hair Drive and the Virginia Oaks Housing Association sign located in the 7500 block of Virginia Oaks Drive.

The police investigation showed that the vandalism did not rise to the definition of hate crime, Hernandez said.