Trending
BUCKHANNON -- A Buckhannon man who allegedly vandalized campaign signs earlier this year was arrested by the West Virginia State Police.
Michael Shaffer, 47, was arrested for one count of destruction of property, a misdemeanor, following an investigation by Cpl. V.J. Pyles with the Buckhannon detachment of the West Virginia State Police.
Magistrate Mike Coffman set bond at $1,500 and ordered Shaffer to have no contact with Kerner.
Pyles first received a complaint from Matthew Kerner, who was a candidate for Buckhannon City Council, on April 9, according to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk's office.
Kerner advised two political signs were vandalized with green paint that would not come off. The first sign was located in a grassy area along Route 20 South in front of the Wendling's Plaza and the second sign was located across from Kroger on Route 20 South.
Pyles observed the paint on the signs and attempted to gain video footage from Christine's Hotspot with no success, according to the criminal complaint.
At the time, Kerner advised he knew who may have been responsible but decided not to give a name to Pyles in case it was not true.
In May, Kerner provided Pyles with a receipt from CaseyEarl's LLC for the cost of the signs at $762.40.
Pyles also gained screenshot photographs of a Facebook Messenger conversation between Shaffer and Shaffer's former girlfriend from a conversation on April 11. Weese asked The woman asked if he had painted Kerner's signs. Shaffer allegedly replied "Yes," "[expletive] him," "That's John Deere Green I'll have you know."
Pyles contacted the woman, who advised she was speaking with Shaffer and provided the entire conversation.
Kerner was arrested in May for brandishing a deadly weapon and prohibited person in possession of a firearm, both misdemeanors, after a May 4 incident in which he and Shaffer argued on Main Street and Kerner allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at Shaffer, according to a previous article. Kerner told officers that Shaffer allegedly had a closed pocketknife in his hand.
If convicted, Shaffer faces up to a year in jail and/or up to a $500 fine.