LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Four men, including a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power employee, have been charged in a graffiti vandalism spree that prosecutors say stretched across Los Angeles for a year and left building owners with $172,930 in repair costs, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.
Click here to view the official Los Angeles County District Attorney release regarding the charges.
The case was filed on October 8, 2026, according to the announcement, which was released on October 15, 2026.
Prosecutors say many of the buildings hit are historic.
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said the defendants “turned buildings across Los Angeles into their personal billboards” and left property owners to pay for the repairs.
Four Defendants, Twenty-Three Counts, and One Utility Worker
Rocha, Javier Rezendez, of Los Angeles — 12 felony counts of vandalism of $400 or more in defacement with graffiti, in case 26CJCF06480. He has worked as an LADWP electrical craft helper since 2018, prosecutors said.
Gonzales, Michael Ray, of Pico Rivera — seven felony counts of vandalism of $400 or more in defacement with graffiti.
Rodriguez Aguilar, Francisco, of West Covina — two felony counts of vandalism of $400 or more in defacement with graffiti.
Ward, Richard Evan II, of Oceanside — two felony counts of vandalism of $400 or more in defacement with graffiti.
Ladders, Rappelling Gear, and Drone Footage
From August 2025 to August 2026, the defendants are accused of hitting mostly tall buildings across Los Angeles, according to the announcement.
On various dates, prosecutors say, the men climbed ladders and rappelled to the tops of buildings, then spray-painted graffiti down the sides.
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The group also allegedly used drones to record the vandalism and made money selling merchandise connected to the graffiti, prosecutors said.
The total damage came to $172,930 in repair costs, according to the announcement.
“Graffiti is not a victimless crime,” Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said.
Arraignments, a Not Guilty Plea, and County Jail Exposure
Rocha is set to be arraigned on October 23, 2026, in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center, prosecutors said. Rodriguez Aguilar was set to be arraigned on October 19 in the same department.
Ward pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on October 12, 2026, according to the announcement. His preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for November 19 in Department 38.
Gonzales will be arraigned at a later date, prosecutors said. The defendants who have been arraigned were released on their own recognizance.
If convicted as charged, Rocha faces up to 10 years and four months in county jail, Gonzales up to seven years, and Rodriguez Aguilar and Ward up to three years and eight months each, prosecutors said.
The case is being prosecuted by the Central Trials Division and was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The charges are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sources
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, news release, “LADWP Employee, Three Others Charged in Graffiti Vandalism Spree Across Los Angeles” (October 15, 2026): da.lacounty.gov/media/news/ladwp-employee-three-others-charged-graffiti-vandalism-spree-across-los-angeles