MILWAUKEE — A man has been charged with a felony after causing about $25,000 of damage to the recently renovated Church of the Gesu on Marquette University’s campus.
Demetres Henderson faces one charge of criminal damage to property after he allegedly broke into the lower church just before 8 a.m. on March 18.
Witnesses told police they heard banging from the lower church and then saw Henderson damaging statues. Surveillance video also showed Henderson coming into the upper church, then tipping over a vigil and candle holders and pushing over kneelers.
Church of the Gesu completed a $10 million renovation project just last year, adding new floors, pews, lighting and upgraded acoustics.
Henderson is in custody and a judge has ordered a competency examination. If convicted, he could face over three years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
