Police have arrested a man who is accused of vandalizing a Ledyard church and painting profanity inside. The estimated amount of the damage is $12,000, according to police.
Police said 33-year-old Madison Barrett, of Norwich, broke into Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Gales Ferry around 1 a.m. on March 11, vandalized the church and painted profanity inside.
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WATCH HEREAt the time, police said hateful words were found in the meeting hall, windows had been broken and religious items were found outside the building.
He turned himself in to police on Tuesday morning and he was taken into custody.
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SIGN UP Police said they received help investigating from the FBI’s New Haven office and the Connecticut State Police Biased Crimes Unit. They also received valuable information that people called in, they said.
Barrett has been charged with intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the second degree, burglary in the first degree and criminal mischief in the first degree.
Barrett's attorney said his client suffers from severe mental illness that he has not been controlling and went to the hospital for mental health treatment immediately after what happened.
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Ledyard police said they identified Barrett as a suspect within weeks and made arrangements with his lawyer to notify them when he was released so they could serve the warrant.
Barrett was held on a $30,000 bond. He appeared in court around noon Tuesday and his attorney asked for bail to be reduced to $5,000, but that was denied.
One condition of the bond is that Barrett continue to seek treatment for his mental health.
Barrett is due in court on May 18.
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