Graffiti charges are now felonies
Prosecutors filed a slate of felony charges Thursday against an accused graffiti artist who skipped out on a court hearing this week.
Miguel Villanueva, 23, had been expected to plead guilty Wednesday to three misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief, prosecutors said. But his failure to appear voided an immunity agreement covering more incidents and resulted in a warrant for his arrest that was still active Thursday, with a jail bond increased to $50,000.
Prosecutors filed nine counts of criminal mischief, all upgraded to felonies, and added a criminal gang activity charge.
Authorities think Villanueva painted his tag, "CHOKE," on dozens of buildings in Indianapolis last year, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage.