COLUMBUS, Ohio — City prosecutors have brought criminal misdemeanor charges against an individual who is alleged to have urinated on a pride flag, slammed on the doors and shouted homophobic comments at a home in the Weinland Park neighborhood, according to a press release.

What You Need To Know

  • City prosecutors have brought criminal misdemeanor charges against an individual who is alleged to have urinated on a pride flag, slammed on the doors and shouted homophobic comments at a home in the Weinland Park neighborhood

  • The February incident led to four charges: ethnic intimidation, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct

  • The incident occurred in the Weinland Park neighborhood

  • The defendant could face hundreds in fines and possibly jail time/probation

The February incident led to the defendent, Trey Fetzer, being charged with the following: ethnic intimidation, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

“Vandalizing property and making homophobic remarks in an attempt to intimidate members of the LGBTQ+ community will not be tolerated in our city,” Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said in the release. “Columbus is diverse and tolerant, and we celebrate our LGBTQ+ community. Hate has no home here, and as long as I’m City Attorney, we will continue to aggressively prosecute hate and bias crimes.”

According to the probable cause affidavit, officer Shawn Lutz initially saw this incident referenced in a post on the social media website Reddit and followed up with the posters.

Detective Kris Klein, who was assigned to the case, reviewed video footage of the incident, which occurred shortly before 11 p.m.

After the victims and Klein received numerous tips on the identity of the suspect, the detective was able to find a match via Fetzer's BMV photo, according to the affidavit.

The release notes he could face hundreds in fines and possibly jail time/probation.