Police arrest 8 in school graffiti case

Katy Independent School District police officers arrested eight Mayde Creek High School students Friday morning on felony graffiti charges.

The vandalism was discovered early Aug. 16 by Katy ISD officers on patrol at the high school, according to Chief Mark Hopkins.

The spray-painted scrawl, which was found on exterior walls, included profanity, Hopkins said, and was found across the campus. He said the school's athletic facilities and performing arts center were hit harder than other buildings.

The eight suspects, all considered adult males, were arrested Friday morning, handcuffed and transported to the Harris County Jail by Katy ISD officers. Hopkins said an estimated $3,000 in damage was done.

Since the act took place on school grounds, it felony under a new state law making the vandalism a state jail felony. The suspects, if found guilty, could face up a year in jail.

Those arrested were Roderick Batson, 17; Aaron Brown, 18; Brandon Bergeron, 17; William Herrera, 17; Miguel Diaz, 17; Duane Cox, 17; Stephen King, 17 and Jonathan Palos.

Hopkins said graffiti is a continuous problem across the school district, but said activity has increase in the past five years.

Officers are investigating graffiti at Cinco Ranch High School, which Hopkins said appears unrelated to the MCHS incident.