FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) – Fargo activist Wess Philome has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief for painting graffiti on a BNSF railroad structure in August.
Philome was painting on the structure when a woman confronted him and threatened to call the police.
According to the defense, the woman escalated the encounter with false accusations, prompting Philome to leave.
Fargo Police attempted to contact Philome over the next several months, but were unable to reach him before charges were filed. Philome claims that their attempts to contact him were not made in good faith.
“I was at city hall every other week,” Philome says. “10 feet away from the chief. You know, I would wave at the officer stationed at the back of the chambers. There was no effort for anyone to walk up and say Hey, Wess on a side note. This is going on right now. We just need to speak with you.”
Philome will serve 40 hours of community service, and have a suspended sentence of six months.
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