Monson Charged With Vandalism After Police See Photo in ESPN Magazine

Jan 15, 2009 12:22 PM John Chandler

Jeff Monson. Photo courtesy of ESPN the Magazine.

Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Jeff Monson has been charged with vandalism after Olympia, Washington police discovered a photo published in the December 29 edition of ESPN the Magazine of Monson spray-painting an anarchy symbol on the Washington state capitol building.

According to The Olympian, Monson has been charged with first-degree malicious mischief, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. The damage reportedly cost $19,000 to clean up and a warrant has been issued for Monson’s arrest.

Monson also told the newspaper that he has claimed responsibility for the crime and will contact local authorities, but refuses to pay any sort of fine that is levied on him and isn’t sure if he will turn himself in.

The American Top Team member last competed at the Mixed Fighting Alliance’s “There Will Be Blood” event in December, where he won an unanimous decision over former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez. Rumors have been circulating suggesting that Monson may be heading back to the UFC later this year.

General • Jeff Monson • Heavyweight

The trackback URL for this entry is:

Trackbacks:

Comments:

1. David M Singer
from NY
Jan 15, 2009 5:33 PM

$19k to clean up? Really?

2. Anon
from USA
Jan 15, 2009 7:29 PM

Yeah sounds like bullshit.
But I have to admit, this whole thing was incredibly stupid of Monson.

3. John Chandler
from Philadelphia, PA
Jan 15, 2009 7:37 PM

I’m assuming that they did something completely unnecessary, like tearing that part of the wall of the wall down and re-doing it.

4. David M Singer
from NY
Jan 15, 2009 8:02 PM

@Anon agreed on both points.

5. Olyhighgerl2007
from Olympia, WA
Jan 16, 2009 5:25 AM

Ya Olympia can be pretty gay most of the time! We have had like 3 or more protests to the Iraq war within the past couple of years! The most recent protest was on November 14th!

6. Anon
from USA
Jan 16, 2009 3:10 PM

I definitely wouldn’t put it past the government to go way overboard with cleaning, instead of just going to ACE and picking up chemicals like everybody else.
In the Army, I did a few details involving completely trashing tractor-trailer loads full of perfectly good furniture, because of MINOR defects. It’s insane. Your hard earned tax dollars are rotting in a dump site somewhere.

Also, because of his status, that just makes is worse on him when it comes to fines.