DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Interim Chief of Police Michael McLean announced today that an Elmhurst man has been charged with spray-painting swastikas on the homes and vehicles of several Elmhurst residences. Joel Jexie, 25 (d.o.b. 6/5/1997) of the 500 block of Crockett Avenue, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Michael Reidy set bond at $100,000 with 10% to apply. Jexie has been charged with three counts of Hate Crime, a Class 4 Felony and one count(s) of Criminal Damage to Property, a Class 4 Felony.
On July 9, 2022, the Elmhurst Police Department received a call regarding vandalism that occurred on Oak Street. Upon their arrival, officers observed swastikas painted on two garage doors of the home as well as on a Lexus ES 350. Three days later, on July 12, 2022, Elmhurst police officers received another call regarding a swastika that was spray-painted on a VW Atlas located on Crockett Avenue. Through the course of their investigation into the matter, officers were not only able to identify Jexie as a suspect in the two cases but also able to identify him as a suspect in an April 2022 incident where a swastika was spray-painted on a home on Walnut Street. Jexie was taken into custody yesterday afternoon from his home without incident.
“The allegations against Mr. Jexie are very disturbing and have been charged accordingly,” Berlin said. “Hate crimes have no place in a civilized society and the allegations against Mr. Jexie in no way represent the welcoming, good-hearted people of DuPage County. I thank the Elmhurst Police Department for their work on this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Rob Willis and Grace Barsanti for their efforts on this case.”
“I must thank the members of the Elmhurst community who partnered with the police department on this successful investigation,” McLean said. “The residents that provided home security video and promptly called 911 when they observed suspicious activity were crucial to solving these offensive crimes.”
Jexie’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 5, 2022, for arraignment in front of Judge Reidy.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of a defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
