MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR KFGO) – Charges have been filed against a Moorhead man in connection with vandalism at a Moorhead mosque.
Twenty-two-year-old Benjamin Enderle is charged with felony criminal damage to property and harassment with bias. The charges are both felonies.
Enderle is accused of spray painting hate messages at the Moorhead Fargo Islamic Center. Words including “Death to Islam and “Go to Hell” were painted in several places on the building’s exterior.
According to court documents, Enderle admitted to police that he was responsible for the vandalism and said “he did it as a joke.” Enderle also told police that he “doesn’t hate them” and said he vandalized the mosque “to get a reaction from the community and the media.”
Police say Enderle was arrested after a Walmart security officer examined store records and found surveillance video of Enderle purchasing the paint at the Fargo Walmart on 13th Ave. S.
If convicted, Enderle faces up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
