LADWP employee among four charged for $170,000 downtown graffiti vandalism spree
Four men, including a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power employee, have been charged with multiple felonies for a year-long graffiti campaign that cost over $170,000 in downtown property damage.
A criminal complaint filed by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office accuses four men of a graffiti campaign that spanned from August 2025 to August 2026, inflicting more than $170,000 in damage on downtown Los Angeles buildings. Among the suspects is Javier Rezendez Rocha, a 38-year-old employee of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power who has worked as an electrician’s aide since 2018, now facing 12 felony vandalism charges.
The other defendants—Michael Ray Gonzales, Francisco Rodriguez Aguilar, and Richard Evan Ward II—are charged with seven, two, and two counts respectively. Prosecutors say the group employed specialized climbing equipment and drones to reach high façades, filming their acts for online exposure and alleged monetary gain. Targets included historic venues like the Cameo Theatre and Roxie Theatre, as well as a mural inside Pershing Square and a site at Wilshire and La Brea.
A district attorney spokesperson described the acts as turning city structures into personal billboards, leaving owners with costly repairs. Legal representation for the men has not been confirmed, and LADWP has not responded to comment requests.
Why it matters
The case highlights misuse of municipal resources and public safety concerns over graffiti vandalism amplified by social media.
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