A man who attacked a pagan statue in the Iowa Capitol in December has been charged with a hate crime .
The Polk County, Iowa, prosecutors’ decision to escalate the original charge against Michael Cassidy , a former political candidate from Mississippi, was made public Tuesday.
“Evidence shows the defendant made statements to law enforcement and the public indicating he destroyed the property because of the victim’s religion,” said Lynn Hicks, a spokesman for the Polk County Attorney’s Office, to the Des Moines Register .
Cassidy has also been charged with felony third-degree criminal mischief.
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Attack on satanic display in Iowa Capitol
Cassidy traveled to the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines from Mississippi in mid-December amid an uproar over the pagan statue.
The statue of Baphomet, put together by the Satanic Temple of Iowa, had been criticized by state and national leaders, according to the Des Moines Register. It was allowed to remain in place under state rules regarding religious displays.