Judge Orders Shepard Fairey to Stand Trial Over Tagging Claims

Graffiti artist Shepard Fairey faces new charges after a Wayne County Circuit Court judge ordered Tuesday he would have to stand trial against accusations he illegally tagged property around Detroit in May, according to a Detroit Free Press story.

»Via the Detroit Free Press

Fairey, known for his iconic “Hope” poster of President Barack Obama, was charged with malicious destruction of a building $20,000 or more and two counts of malicious destruction of a railroad bridge, the report stated. The charges are in connection to posters that were illegally glued to properties around the city, resulting in almost $25,000 in cleanup and repair costs, the report added.

Originally, Fairey, 45, had been charged with two counts of felony malicious destruction of a building between $1,000 and $2,000, the report stated. The Los Angeles-based artist is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 15.

»RELATED: Police Wondering Whether Shepard Fairey Illegally Tagged Detroit

Although he was complimentary of Fairey’s talent, Judge Kenneth King told the artist that didn’t him to make the world his canvas without suffering the potential consequences, the report stated:

“Sir, you may have a lot of talent but you can’t go around doing things without permission. You can’t put things on people’s property without their permission.”