An anonymous tip apparently led authorities to two people now facing charges for allegedly vandalizing a historic Izard County church.
Makayla Vickers, 22, and Lane Keith Morris, 24, have each been charged in Izard County Circuit Court with one felony count of first-degree criminal mischief.
According to the court information filed Wednesday, caretakers for the Old Philadelphia Church, located on Larkin Road in Violet Hill, reported the discovery of upside-crosses and a pentagram spray-painted in black on the walls and front steps of the building (see images below). After Izard County Sheriff Charley Melton requested the community’s help in finding the vandals, the sheriff received an anonymous tip identifying Vickers as one suspect.
In a post-Miranda interview with authorities on Tuesday, Vickers “admitted her involvement with damaging the church in question” and told them Morris had also taken part in the spray painting, the court records said.
According to his arrest affidavit, Morris was interviewed Wednesday morning and “corroborated statements made by Vickers and admitted his involvement with damaging the Old Philadelphia Church.” A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Vickers was arrested and booked into the Izard County Jail this afternoon. Both face a cash bond of $500.
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