SHAWANO — A young man is accused of painting racist graffiti on schools in Shawano. He's also accused of stealing a vehicle and smashing it into a tree.
Payton Pagel faces hate crime charges as well as a dozen other charges related to property damage and auto theft in Shawano.
A criminal complaint filed Friday shows Pagel is accused of painting racist and sexist language on property at Shawano High School, Shawano Middle School, and Olga Brener Elementary School.
Pagel is also accused of stealing a vehicle and then rolling it down a hill where it hit a tree.
The criminal complaint said Pagel may have committed these crimes in the company of two other people, but police have not yet identified them.
Pagel is quoted in the criminal complaint saying he thought spray painting the schools would be "funny". The criminal complaint includes a written statement attributed to Pagel in which he apologizes for his alleged actions.
