UConn Student From Enfield Accused Of Spray-Painting Swastika

STORRS, CT — A University of Connecticut student and Enfield resident was arrested Thursday on a warrant accusing him of spray-painting an anti-Semitic swastika on the college's chemistry building last month, according to the UConn Police Department.

Kristopher Pieper, 21, a junior majoring in anthropology and geographic information science, was charged with third-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, and third-degree criminal mischief.

On March 27 - the start of the Jewish holiday Passover - a graduate student walking on campus told UConn police she had seen a swastika on the chemistry building, directly across the street from the Hillel House, a foundation center for the Jewish community on campus. A second swastika was later discovered on a retaining wall of the Austin Building, less than 300 yards from the chemistry building, according to an affidavit supporting Pieper's arrest.

An extensive investigation, including use of video surveillance footage, wireless internet data and
card swipe access records, eventually led police to Pieper's dorm room in Wilson Hall. During the course of the investigation, another swastika was found on a wall in Wilson Hall, in a stairwell adjacent to Pieper's dorm room, according to the affidavit.

Upon initial questioning, Pieper claimed he was home in Enfield from March 26-28. When confronted with WiFi evidence contradicting his statement, he admitted being on campus but denied painting the graffiti. Eventually, he admitted committing the acts, due to being "upset with certain traditions of the Orthodox Jewish community," according to the affidavit.

In a 10-page apology letter to the Hillel House and the Jewish community, according to the affidavit, Pieper wrote, "My actions done were done in reaction to the Orthodox tradition of Mitizivah B'peh [sic], in which I feel many innocent jews [sic] contract fatal STD's. I did not seek to harm anyone, only to raise awareness to a topic that deserves more recognition."

"Federal student privacy laws prevent UConn from disclosing whether it has initiated a conduct review involving specific student[s]," university spokesperson Stephanie Reitz told Patch.

UConn President Thomas Katsouleas sent the following message Thursday to the campus community:

"As you may recall, last month there were two incidents in which antisemitic graffiti was spray-painted on the outside of two academic buildings on the Storrs campus, coinciding with the Passover holiday. These vile acts were deeply disturbing to our community.

"We write today to inform you that after an intensive investigation, the UConn Police Department has arrested and charged a UConn student in connection with one of these incidents. The police will be releasing the arrest warrant and related information this afternoon.

"The matter was also referred to Community Standards today as part of the student conduct process.

"We are grateful to UConn Police for their efforts, which, along with our clearly articulated values as an institution, help to demonstrate that hateful acts such as these will never be tolerated at UConn.

"Every member of our community – students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests – deserves to feel safe and respected at UConn. Anyone who violates that principle goes against the values this university exists to uphold."

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