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Graffiti Grandpa Vandalized Fla. Streets for 6 Years

By Cynthia Hsu, Esq. on August 12, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

The existence of graffiti grandpa Charles Wesley has probably increased the average age of captured vandals across the nation. Wesley, 71, was arrested in Florida for spray-painting the letters "SLA" on utility poles.

Prior to Wesley's arrest, officials did not know who was behind the spray-painted "SLA" initials.

The initials first appeared around six years ago, the Huffington Post reports.

Police originally thought "SLA" stood for the Symbionese Liberation Army. This "SLA" is the one responsible for Patricia's Hearst 1974 kidnapping.

Wesley says that the "SLA" that he spray painted onto poles actually stands for the "Sane People Liberated Army." Wesley says that his "SLA" will take over the U.S. after the economy collapses, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

Perhaps the Sane People Liberated Army's plan to rule the U.S. starts out small. Today, utility poles in Florida. Tomorrow, the nation?

Officials arrested Wesley after someone saw him spray-painting a pole. He says he spray-painted his little-known political group's initials across hundreds of sites in Florida, according to the St. Petersburg Times.

Now the graffiti grandpa is charged with criminal mischief.

Vandalism laws vary depending on the state. Depending on the severity of the property damage, vandalism can either be a felony or a misdemeanor. Penalties for vandalism could include jail time or a fine.

Sometimes, the convicted vandal is also required to go out and wash or repair whatever property they damaged.

What's next for graffiti grandpa Charles Wesley? Probably some sort of court date to determine his guilt. But, if the witness' statements are true and Wesley was caught red-handed, he may have a lot of explaining to do to a judge.

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