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2 teens detained in anti-Obama graffiti
By Susan McFarland (Contact)
Originally published 04:24 p.m., February 4, 2009
Updated 04:27 p.m., February 4, 2009

CORPUS CHRISTI — Police detained two teens Wednesday afternoon at Flour Bluff High School in connection with a graffiti incident Sunday depicting racial slurs and a threat against the president.

Both boys, ages 15 and 16, were held as juveniles on suspicion of misdemeanor graffiti and criminal trespass related to vandalism of a lift station and a basketball court at Aquarius Park on Padre Island, Corpus Christi police Detective Ramiro Torres said.

In connection with damaged homes near the park, the 15-year-old also was held on suspicion of criminal mischief, a felony level offense in the juvenile justice system. Damage to the houses and property owned by contractors totaled more than $12,000.

The boys jumped into an area of the park fenced off by a padlock to spray paint graffiti, police said. It depicted a swastika, racial slurs, obscenities and specific threats against President Barack Obama.

The Secret Service, called to help, completed its investigation Sunday and found no potential threat to the president. The FBI worked with law enforcement but won't pursue a case, Special Agent Shauna Dunlap said.

Police were called to the park about 2 a.m. Sunday after neighbors heard glass breaking in the area. They found the 15-year-old with a can of green spray paint that matched the paint used in the graffiti, and their questioning of him led to the 16-year-old.

Police said a third teen has been questioned and is considered a witness, Torres said.

Both teens were taken to the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center.

The boys will not be charged with committing a hate crime, because there was no specific victim, Torres said.

A Flour Bluff Independent School District student can be expelled for engaging in criminal mischief if punishable as a felony, according to its Student Code of Conduct.

Contact Susan McFarland at 886-3778 or mcfarlands@caller.com