Posted on 08/11/2005 2:48:13 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
A U.S. Air Force colonel has been charged with painting obscenities on parked cars bearing pro-President Bush bumper stickers, police said on Wednesday.
Lt. Col. Alexis Fecteau, who supervises 41 full-time and part-time reservists at the National Security Space Institute in Colorado Springs, Colo., is suspected of vandalizing 12 cars at Denver International Airport over a six-month period, Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.
"Lieutenant Colonel Fecteau has been charged with one count of felony mischief and six misdemeanor counts related to the vandalism," Jackson said.
Fecteau, who could not be reached for comment, is scheduled to be arraigned later this month.
Police said they received numerous complaints dating back to December 2004 from people with cars bearing Bush or Bush-Cheney campaign bumper stickers that their vehicles had been vandalized.
Police set up a bait car with a pro-Bush bumper sticker, parked it at the airport with a surveillance camera, and waited. On July 1, the camera recorded a man spray-painting over the bumper sticker with an expletive.
Investigators traced the license plate of the suspected vandal to Fecteau, 42, who turned himself into police last week and was released after posting a $5,000 bond.
Jackson would not comment on a possible motive for the vandalism, but said one victim had to spend $2,000 on repairs after it was spray-painted, which led to the felony charge.
Maj. Tina Barber-Matthew, spokeswoman for the U.S. Air Force Space Command, said the case was under investigation, but that it would be "premature" to discuss what discipline Fecteau would face if convicted.
"Until we can validate or invalidate the charges, he is still on full-duty status," she said.
Barber-Matthew said Fecteau has been in charge at the post since October 2004. The institute provides ongoing training to Air Force personnel to keep them current on space technology and its applications, she said
"Ongoing training to keep USAF personnel current on space applications" that employs more than 40 people is most definitely a boondoggle.
Where I work, there has to be a whole lot more for 40 people to do to justify their positions.
Sorry, this smells like big time PORK here.
I though it would help someone else.
Obviously this is a person that needs to be booted out the door.
The government is chock full of Clintoon liberals. We need a thorough housecleaning - the criteria - energy production.
In political terms, I would say about 75% of all officers are Republican, with a lesser percentage for NCOs.
I have only met a handful of vehement Democrats. Of those, two turned out to be gay, and one was certifiably insane. He was diagnosed with "bipolar" disorder and is now teaching high school.
I'm totally unsurprised or shocked.
I hope he's sued by each of his victims to recover their costs. If he can be charged for a civil rights violation, I hope they go forward. His actions are almost like those enviro-terrorists.
Yes. A terrorist.
When I see these piles of crap around held together by "hate bush" bumper stickers I feel a real need to DO something!
Of course, I've got a lot to lose... so I've never done anything. Still......
Yes, he should be relieved of duty. I wonder if this clown was over-promoted during the Clinturd's reign of terror...
Kick his stinking (insert body part) out of our Air Force.
What an immature thing for this clown to do.
Yeh...and he's a freaking Lt Col. You gotta' really wonder about the real clowns who kept promoting him.
I laugh [there are usually tons of LIBERAL cause stickers all over their cars]. When I drive by I have to look and see how silly they look in their righteousness.
Throw the book at him. Instead of civilian charges, he should be brought up on charges under the UCMJ: in addition to the obvious "conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman" I think there is also article 88 "contempt towards officials", article 109 PROPERTY OTHER THAN MILITARY PROPERTY OF UNITED STATES - WASTE, SPOILAGE, OR DESTRUCTION, and article 134, the general article which includes bringing discredit on the armed forces.
Sock it to him, consecutive sentences at hard labor in Leavenworth, reduction to E-1, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and dishonorable discharge after his 15-20 years in the brig!
I agree.
He should get a dishonorable discharge and serve time.
He should get at least 5 years. An example MUST be set!
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