Protester is sentenced for damaging property

A Fridley man originally was charged with first-degree damage to property after he was photographed allegedly smashing a plate-glass window on the first day of the Republican National Convention.

By PAT PHEIFER, Star Tribune

Last update: July 17, 2009 - 7:33 AM

Jason A. Sparks was ordered Thursday to spend 60 days in jail, pay a $100 fine and $4,380 in restitution after he pleaded guilty last month in Ramsey County District Court to aiding and abetting criminal damage to property.

Sparks, 24, of Fridley, originally was charged with first-degree damage to property after he was photographed allegedly smashing a plate-glass window at the First National Bank Building in downtown St. Paul on the first day of the Republican National Convention last year.

Prosecutors later learned that someone else may have thrown a rock through the window and Sparks was just finishing the job.

According to the criminal complaint, Sparks was part of a group of protesters who left the established parade route on Sept. 1 and damaged public and private property as they "descended into St. Paul."

Although Sparks was wearing a bandanna over his face, two people called police and identified him after the photographs were published by the media, the complaint said. Sparks also was photographed without the bandanna at the State Capitol grounds before the vandalism.

District Judge Paulette Flynn abided by the plea agreement, which called for a stay-of-imposition sentence that allowed Sparks to avoid prison time.