DESECRATION INDICTMENT FILED ON HILLIARD MAN WRITING THREATENING MESSAGE ON PERRY TOWNSHIP MOSQUE

Posted on 3/2/2017

Defendant: Todd M. Williams

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien and United States Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman announced that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned an indictment on Todd M. Williams, age 44, in connection to the February 11, 2017 desecration of the Ahlul-Bayt Society Islamic Center located at 2580 West Dublin Granville Road on the north side of Columbus.  Williams was indicted for one count Desecration (F-5), one count Ethnic Intimidation (M-2) and one count Criminal Mischief (M-3) for a total of three counts.  It is alleged that on February 11th, Williams approached the mosque and wrote “Allah Is A Fraud Dum Dums” on the left door window and painted “Repent Turn To True God + Jesus Or Burn 4 Ever” on the right door window.  The investigation was conducted by the Perry Township Police Department and FBI. 

The United States Attorney’s Office and Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office cooperated in bringing the case to indictment.  “This case is another example of the collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney and our office.  Here the message being sent is loud and clear--that Hate Crimes based on religious intolerance will be fully prosecuted,” O’Brien stated.  The case will be prosecuted in the Court of Common Pleas by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Gibson and Assistant United States Attorney Peter Glenn-Applegate, who will be sworn in as a Special Prosecutor.  “Law enforcement at all levels of government stand united against this kind of conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman.  “I commend the thorough investigation of the FBI and the Perry Township Police Department, and I thank Ron O’Brien for his partnership in bringing this case forward.”