Fort Bend County District Attorney Investigates Vandalism of Campaign Signs

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – An investigation is underway after election posters were vandalized in several surrounding areas overnight. Sugar Land and StaffordEdit.

According to authorities, on Monday, October 28, the Sugar Land Police Department notified the District Attorney’s Office that there were damaged election signs at several polling locations.

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Investigators from the Public Ministry began an investigation and observed that there were indications that at least three different candidates, from both political parties, had been murdered and abandoned on the ground.

District Attorney investigators are working with local law enforcement agencies to identify who is responsible for the damage.

Criminal mischief charges could be filed. If the total value of the damage exceeds $100, violators could face jail time.

Officials stated that during the 2024 primary election, one person was charged, prosecuted and ordered to pay more than $1,500 in restitution for destroying candidate signs.

This comes on the heels of sign thefts reported in the Cinco Ranch Library survey in Katy last week, officials said. At that location, which is also under investigation, more than 30 signs were stolen.

Not all signs that disappear are stolen. Some are placed without the owner’s permission or are illegally in the right-of-way, which would be removed by the Texas Department of Transportation.

“I formed the Election Integrity Security Task Force in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies in 2020 to monitor election activity and ensure the integrity of the election process and maintain the safety of voters and poll workers,” said District Attorney Middleton. “The Task Force has operated in every election since 2020 to protect voters and poll workers. Poll workers have dedicated numbers to call if they need help.”

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Officials said the Task Force’s primary goal is to ensure that voters can safely and freely exercise their right to vote while the polls are open. They collaborate with municipal authorities to patrol the outer perimeter of the polls and investigate complaints. Unfortunately, theft and vandalism of campaign signs occurs every election and should be reported to local police.

“Signs don’t vote, people do. Destroying political signs is a mistake and is not likely to change the outcome of the election,” Middleton said. “And while the task force officers work during polling hours, the patrol officers work 24 hours a day. There are security cameras everywhere, and when we identify who is responsible, they will be prosecuted.” .

If anyone has a complaint when they arrive to vote, they can call the Election Hotline at 281-341-8670 or email [email protected]. If you witness a crime or have information about campaign-related vandalism or theft, please call 911 or your local police agency’s non-emergency number.