Second suspect tagged for graffiti spree

SANDPOINT — A second person is facing felony vandalism charges in connection with a boldfaced wave of graffiti which marred public buildings, businesses and school property earlier this year.

Jennifer Lynn Sharples is charged with two counts of aiding and abetting malicious injury to property. A hearing to determine if Sharples should stand trial on the charges is planned for May 13.

Sharples, an 18-year-old Sandpoint resident, is accused of driving Kyle Lee Jones to a Ponderay discount store where cans of spray paint were purchased and to various locations around Sandpoint so he could tag vehicles and buildings on Feb. 4.

Jones’ illegal handiwork turned up on Sandpoint City Hall and police vehicles, the Bonner County Courthouse, Lake Pend Oreille High School, the Bristlecone apartments and a half-dozen businesses.

Jones, 20, was apprehended the following day through informants and witnesses, according to Sandpoint Police reports. He pleaded guilty to felony vandalism and was sentenced in March to two to four years in prison with retained jurisdiction, which qualifies him for release after serving six months.

During sentencing, District Judge Steve Verby asked Jones who shuttled him about town on the night of the graffiti spree. Jones claimed he couldn’t remember, which prompted Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor James Frazier to call him to the stand to testify.

On the stand, Jones testified Sharples took him to Wal-Mart and they joined other girls in drinking alcohol for a couple of hours. Jones continued to claim he couldn’t remember who drove during the ensuing graffiti tear, but did not dispute that Sharples had implicated herself when questioned by police.

Five days after the testimony, a criminal complaint against Sharples was sworn.