Graffiti vandal arrested again after being granted 12-month diverted sentence

A 27-year-old Piru resident was arrested Wednesday on charges of graffiti vandalism after deputies discovered evidence linking him to multiple incidents in the Fillmore area.

Cristian Guerra was taken into custody around 7 a.m. following a search of his home on the 300 block of Marina Circle.

Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office station in Fillmore allegedly found materials that connected Guerra to previous vandalism incidents in the area. He was also found to be in possession of controlled substances.

Guerra now faces charges of felony vandalism, possession of vandalism tools and possession of a controlled substance, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The arrest comes months after Guerra was granted pretrial diversion for an earlier graffiti case in June. He was ordered to follow all local, state and federal laws for a 12-month period, after which those charges would’ve been dismissed if he avoided any arrests or citations.

But in September, authorities found graffiti with a moniker that had been linked to Guerra during that previous arrest.

Guerra was subsequently arrested and booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura where he’s being held on $10,000 bail.

Officials said graffiti is not a victimless crime, and is actually responsible for thousands of dollars in damage every year.

“Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities. If left unchecked, graffiti can decrease property values and lead to the deterioration of entire neighborhoods,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Authorities encourage residents to promptly report graffiti and any suspicious activities by contacting local law enforcement or submitting an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers online or by calling 800-222-8477.

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