Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey filed a civil rights complaint on Tuesday against two Harpswell men accused of spray painting racist and antisemitic messages in several midcoast communities.
William Deary, 49, and his son Hayden Deary, 18, allegedly vandalized road signs and roadways in Bath, Brunswick, Harpswell and Topsham around Jan. 7.
According to a news release from the AG’s office, the Dearys spray-painted the phrase “Gas Jews” at an intersection in Harpswell and on the pillars supporting an overpass at Route 1 in Bath. The graffiti included the numbers 88 and 14. Hayden Deary told investigating officers, the number “88” means “Heil Hitler.” The number “14” is shorthand for a white supremacist slogan the “14 Words.”
Additionally, the men allegedly spray-painted swastikas on signs along Gurnet Road and on the Cook’s Corner Exit sign in Brunswick, which Attorney General Frey noted is a short distance from an area where asylum seekers are being housed.
In response to safety concerns, an armed police officer has been posted at a synagogue in Bath during Hebrew School.
According to the complaint, the Dearys admitted to painting the messages and symbols. William Deary said he was upset about immigrants moving to the Cook’s Corner area of Brunswick and was angry at the Jewish people for promoting the COVID-19 vaccine and sending immigrants in “to clean the white race out.” Hayden Deary said he had been frustrated by “mass immigration,” according to the complaint.
The Maine Civil Rights Act prohibits the use of violence, threats of violence or property damage against a person motivated by that person’s race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
The complaint asks the court to prohibit the Dearys from vandalizing public or private property with the intent to broadcast racist or antisemitic messages, according to the AG’s office.
If the court grants the order and the men violate it, they would face up to 364 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
The Dearys were previously charged with criminal mischief in connection with the vandalism in Brunswick and Harpswell.