A Naperville man accused of affixing swastika stickers to campaign signs for a DuPage County Board candidate was charged with two felony hate crime counts and one count of misdemeanor criminal damage to property, law enforcement officials announced Monday.
Keith Klingeman, 49, of the 400 block of Sheffield Road, is accused of placing the stickers on signs for DuPage County Board District 5 candidate Patty Gustin between Oct. 2 and Oct. 16, according to a news release from DuPage State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres.
Advertisement
On Dec. 9, Judge Jeffrey Mackay issued an arrest warrant, and Klingeman turned himself in later that day at the Naperville Police Station. He was released after posting $5,000 bail.
The person who answered a call placed to Klingeman Monday afternoon declined comment.
Advertisement
A former Naperville councilwoman, Gustin went on to win one of the three seats in District 5, and she took office Dec. 5.
At the Oct. 18 council meeting, Gustin called the action “very hurtful” and “very upsetting,” particularly since her family is from the Vilnius area of Lithuania, known as Jerusalem of Lithuania or Jerusalem of the North because of the large Jewish influence.
Gustin said the campaign signs that were defaced were in Aurora near along 75th Street at Commons Drive and Route 59.
Berlin called the allegations against Klingeman “simply despicable.”
“Hate crimes have no place in a civilized society. All of us deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and anyone who violates this principle based on race, religion or any other hateful prejudice will be held accountable,” Berlin said in the release.
Arres said Naperville strives to be an inclusive community that values diversity.
“The actions alleged in this case directly conflict with that mission,” Arres said in the release. “This department will continue to vigorously investigate any allegations of hate crimes in this City and hold those responsible for such behavior accountable for their actions.”
Klingeman’s next court appearance is Jan. 9.
Advertisement
subaker@tribpub.com
