By Jim Hagerty
Reporter

ROCKFORD – The 42-year-old man arrested for vandalizing the Republican headquarters downtown is now charged with battery and resisting a peace officer.

What led to the new charges against Damm is currently unknown. He was arrested Friday.

He was charged with felony defacement of property and resisting arrest Monday in connection with the graffiti police say he painted on the GOP office building at 515 N. Court St. last Saturday night.

Damm gave an on-camera interview on Sunday morning, telling Eyewitness News he lives near office building and noticed the words “rape” and “shame” spray painted on the building when he was walking his dog. He said commended the vandalism, saying as an “artist,” he couldn’t help but notice the “beauty” in it. He also called Republicans rapists. He was detained at a Rockford Walmart while buying additional cans of spray paint.

Damm said he was unable to sleep last Saturday night  “with everything that’s been going on with the Supreme Court.”

The vandalism came on the heels of allegations that newly sworn in U.S. Supreme County Justice Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted a woman when they were in high school in the early 1980s. Kavanaugh denies the allegations.

Damm posted a $2,590 bond and was released from the Winnebago County Jail on Tuesday in the graffiti case. Bond was set at $1,500 on the new charges. He is not in custody as of this report.

A GoFundMe campaign has raised $415 for Damm’s legal defense. He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 11. Damm is represented by Aaron Buscemi, of DeRango & Cain. R.