Charleston Man Sentenced for Destruction of Government Property

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Joe Claude Schleider, 66, of Charleston, was sentenced today to time served and ordered to pay $1,850 in restitution for willful destruction of government property.

United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston found Schleider guilty following a one-day bench trial on April 14, 2026. Evidence at trial showed that on May 6, 2025, Schleider repeatedly struck an electric card entry scanner outside a U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations facility in Charleston with a long pole-like object, rendering it inoperable. Surveillance video footage showed Schleider approach the card entry scanner and strike it approximately eight times. The entry scanner had to be replaced at a cost of $1,850.

Schleider has a criminal history that dates to 1979 and includes multiple convictions for offenses including assault, battery, battery on a police officer, and disorderly conduct. Schleider was incarcerated for approximately seven months following his arrest on the current offense.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Federal Protective Service and the Charleston Police Department.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Lesley C. Shamblin and Joshua Hanks prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-173.

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