​5 Teens Charged for Historic African American Schoolhouse Vandalism: LCSO

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA- Five teenage males were served juvenile petitions this week in connection with the vandalism of a historic schoolhouse in Ashburn, according to a Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) announcement.

Previously identified on Oct. 5, the teenagers, three 16-year-olds from Sterling, a 17-year-old from Sterling and a 16-year-old from Ashburn, were all charged with felony destruction of property and misdemeanor entering property of another for the purpose of damaging it.

The names of the teenagers cannot be released due to the fact they are juveniles. The teenagers will be arraigned on November 15 in Loudoun County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, according to a Loudoun Commonwealth Attorney's Office spokesperson. Courtrooms are closed to the public.

A review of the investigation with the Office of the Loudoun Commonwealth’s Attorney determined the case did not meet the legal requirements for a hate crime. According to a Loudoun Commonwealth Attorney's Office spokesperson, this is because Virginia does not have a hate crimes statute. Three enhanced penalties exist for hate crimes in Virginia but this case does not fall within any of the categories. One of the enhanced penalties categories includes currently operating school buildings but the building where the vandalism occurred is a historical site.

According to the LCSO, the vandalism was discovered Saturday, October 1, at the Old Ashburn Schoolhouse on Ashburn Road. The graffiti included offensive and vulgar graffiti, to include racist messages. The vandalism occurred the previous overnight.

SEE ALSO: Historic Ashburn Schoolhouse Vandalized With Racist Messages

Currently under restoration, the one-room schoolhouse operated as a public school for African Americans from 1892 until the 1950's.

Donations to the restoration surged on a GoFund Me page after the vandalism incident. As of this posting date, nearly $73K has been donated to the GoFundMe page.

SEE ALSO: Donations Surge to Historic African American School Following Racist Graffiti Vandalism

In addition, Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder and the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation donated $35,000 to benefit the restoration of the Ashburn Colored School, according to an announcement by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.

SEE ALSO: Redskins Donate $35K to Restore Historic African American School in Ashburn

For more information on the restoration project, visit:

Photo shared by Ashburn Old School Rehabilitation on Facebook