Jury
Convicts Serial Tagger in “Massive Vandalism Spree”
BOSTON,
Oct. 2, 2014—A Chicago man was sentenced to a year behind bars and must pay
restitution to the MBTA after he was convicted yesterday of more than a dozen
counts of vandalism targeting MBTA property, Suffolk County District Attorney
Daniel F. Conley said.
A
Brighton Municipal Court jury yesterday convicted JOHN BIESIOT (D.O.B. 6/17/78)
of 15 counts of vandalism in the three tagging incidents, which occurred in
2008 and 2010 at Codman Yard in Dorchester, Reservoir Yard in Brighton, and
Alewife in Cambridge. He was found not
guilty of vandalism charges stemming from additional incidents at Forest Hills
and Orient Heights stations. Though the incidents occurred in various locations
in Boston and surrounding cities, the cases were joined and tried together in
Brighton court.
“This
was a massive vandalism spree that carried massive cleanup costs,” Conley said.
“The jury clearly recognized its scale and scope.”
The
Suffolk County convictions are only the latest for Biesiot, who has faced
similar charges in Arkansas, California, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and
North Carolina in cases dating back to 1996.
In light
of Biesoit’s record and the extent of the damages, Special Assistant District
Attorney Mychii Snape recommended that Biesiot be sentenced to 18 months in the
house of correction, with one year to serve and the remainder suspended for a
period of two years, as well as an additional two years of probation. She also requested that Biesiot be ordered to
pay restitution or a $1,500 fine for each of the 15 counts of vandalism for
which he was convicted.
Judge
David Donnelly imposed a sentence of one year and one day in the house of
correction, followed by a 90-day sentence, which is to be suspended for a three
year period, and an additional three years of probation. While on probation, Biesiot must have no
contact with other members of the Dirty 30 graffiti crew, not use any type of
spraying, painting, or marking device outside of work purposes, and may not
knowingly be within 50 yards of anyone using such a device.
A
hearing will be held on Oct. 29 to determine the amount of restitution Biesiot
must pay.
Snape
presented evidence and testimony to prove that, beginning in 2007, Boston and
Transit Police began to see an increase in vandalism attributed to the graffiti
crew known as “Dirty 30.” Through an extensive investigation and communication
with law enforcement agencies across the country, Biesiot was identified as a
member of that group who used the tag name “WYSE.”
On Jan.
12, 2008, MBTA employees at Reservoir Yard in Brookline discovered 12 Green
Line trolleys, a retaining wall, and a signal box had all been vandalized with
graffiti, including the tag “D-30” in multiple locations. Three months later, on March 16, Biesiot’s
tag name was discovered among the graffiti spray painted along one full side of
a train at Codman Yard in Dorchester.
On March
15, 2010, an MBTA motorman performing overnight work on a
train at Alewife observed two men – one of whom was later identified as Biesiot
– spray painting two trains. He remained
hidden and called Transit Police.
Biesiot and the other man made their escape through an emergency exit
prior to the arrival of officers, but the worker was able to identify Biesiot.
The
graffiti at Alewife also included references to the Dirty 30.
Officers
obtained a warrant to search a Brighton residence where Biesiot was believed to
be staying in 2010 and discovered a canister that had been tagged with
Biesiot’s tag name. Warrants for
Biesiot’s arrest issued that same year.
“The
defacing of public property is not a victimless crime; it costs taxpayers money
and diverts resources away from the rest of the MBTA system, from cleaners to
Police,” said Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan. “I’m glad to see yesterday’s verdicts against
this repeat offender and hope that it serves as warning to those who try and
perpetrate crimes in the MBTA system that they will be caught and prosecuted to
the fullest extent of the law.”
Biesiot
was represented by attorney William Keefe.
He will return to court Oct. 29 for a restitution hearing.
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