LAKEWAY, Texas — Authorities have charged a Lakeway man with carrying out an 11-month spree in which they say he painted swastikas on private and public property and are investigating whether a Travis County judge was one of his victims.
Paul Zegarra, 41, has been released from the Travis County Jail on bond on charges of criminal mischief and graffiti pecuniary loss. Authorities say he targeted cars, landscape walls, water towers and bathrooms in neighborhood community parks from March through at least mid-December.
Most of the incidents happened in Lakeway, Bee Cave and unincorporated parts of Travis County, an affidavit said.
Authorities say they have linked at least 20 incidents to Zegarra and are investigating others. They include the car of state District Judge Jan Soifer, who reported Saturday to authorities that her car was tagged outside her home. Travis County Sheriff’s spokesman Kristen Dark said that investigation continues.
According to an affidavit, police linked Zegarra to the crimes after responding to a report about graffiti at an indoor sports complex in Bee Cave, where employees helped identify him through security videos. The affidavit does not say whether the victims were targeted or random.
Authorities said many of the incidents were within a couple of miles of Zegarra’s home. They are still totaling the costs of the incidents.