CASPER, Wyo. — Police say that a marble pulpit, a statue, and a marble altar at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Casper were heavily damaged in a recent incident. One suspect remains in custody on the case.
According to paperwork released by the Natrona County Circuit Court, Christopher Jermaine Clark faces a felony charge of Property Destruction. A person found guilty of Felony Property Destruction faces possible jail time of up to 10 years in jail, up to $10,000 in fines, or both.
Clark, age 34, is accused of entering St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, climbing the altar, and toppling a statue, causing damage to the altar and a nearby marble pulpit. The incident was reported to have occurred on May 6, 2020.
An affidavit filed in the case says the marble pulpit suffered the greatest, with damage estimated at $25,000. The damaged was described as a large crack on a side panel.
When the statue fell, it is reported to have scratched chipped a marble altar in the church, before striking the pulpit. Damage to the altar was estimated at approximately $1,000.
Damage to the statue itself was also valued at approximately $1,000. Investigators describe the statue as that of Saint Anthony holding the child Jesus. The statute reportedly suffered several cracks and chips, and one hand was nearly broken off.
The incident was captured on video surveillance, and still images from the video were distributed on social media, asking for help identifying the individual.
Police report following several leads, including a reported sighting at another Casper church. A report filed by the Casper Police Department says that a person matching the suspect description was seen near Paradise Valley Christian Church just before the noon hour of May 7, 2020. Witnesses say that the person was wearing clothes matching those in the surveillance images.
The person left the area in a vehicle, that witnesses say may have been flagged down.
During the investigation, officers say the Casper PD was contacted by the Buffalo Police Department, advising they believed the suspect to be Clark. The Buffalo PD is said to have had previous dealings with Clark, and believed that he had travelled to the Casper area.
Witnesses also reported the suspect to be in the area of a bus station on North Center Street in Casper. Officers were unable to find the suspect, but set up a police surveillance in the area.
A person matching the suspect’s description was observed by officers in the area of East E Street and North Center Street in Casper, at approximately 4:45 pm, May 7, 2020.
Officers report contacting the individual and identifying them as Clark. An affidavit goes on to say that Clark claimed to be passing through on his way to visit family in New Mexico. He initially is said to have told officers that he entered a church on Center Street where he found the statue lying on the floor.
The affidavit goes on to say that when pressed, Clark eventually told officers that he pushed over the statue. Clark told police that he was angry that a person in the church had left, when he walked in. The affidavit goes on to report that Clark also expressed anger at the people of PAradise Valley Christian Church, who Clark said had not given him as much money as he wanted.
“I ask that all of us pray for this person,” Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church said in a social media post. “Please refrain from making negative judgments or hurtful comments particularly on our parish’s Facebook or website. Remember Jesus seeks out the lost sheep (He did that for me and you).”
During his initial appearance in Natrona County Circuit Court, Clark appeared via video teleconference. He was given a bond amount of $5,000 cash or surety.
All of those cited or arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Charges are subject to change following official filings from the Natrona County District Attorney’s Office.
