October 15, 2026: LADWP Employee, Three Others Charged in Graffiti Vandalism Spree Across Los Angeles

Defendants allegedly scaled tall buildings, used drones to record crimes and profited from merchandise sales, causing over $170,000 in damages

LOS ANGELES - A Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) employee has been charged with 12 felony counts of vandalism and three co-defendants face additional felony charges in a yearlong graffiti vandalism spree across Los Angeles that caused businesses over $170,000 in repairs to their buildings, many historic.

The defendants are accused of climbing to the tops of tall buildings using ladders and specialized climbing equipment, spray-painting graffiti down the sides of the structures and recording their crimes using drones. The group also allegedly profited by selling merchandise associated with their graffiti.

"As charged in the criminal complaint, these defendants turned buildings across Los Angeles into their personal billboards, leaving property owners with over $170,000 in repair costs," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "Their alleged motive: not artistic expression but money and social media eyeballs. They are accused of going to extraordinary lengths to commit these crimes, using climbing equipment and drones to record their vandalism then allegedly profiting from it. Even more troubling, one defendant is a public utility employee who allegedly used climbing equipment to reach the locations to damage buildings, several of which are significant to the historical and architectural fabric of Los Angeles.

"This was not harmless graffiti, and these are not victimless crimes as they destroy the quality of life in our community. To anyone thinking about vandalizing property, Los Angeles County is not yours to deface. You cannot go around destroying property and expect to get away with it. We will find you and prosecute you and ask the Court as part of your punishment to require you to personally remove graffiti throughout our county."

Javier Rezendez Rocha (dob 7/12/88) of Los Angeles, an LADWP electrical craft helper since 2018, is charged with 12 felony counts of vandalism of $400 or more in defacement with graffiti in case 26CJCF06480. Michael Ray Gonzales (dob 12/25/85) of Pico Rivera, is charged with seven felony counts of vandalism of $400 or more in defacement with graffiti. Francisco Rodriguez Aguilar (dob 9/24/89) of West Covina, and Richard Evan Ward II (dob 4/19/81) of Oceanside, are each charged with two felony counts of vandalism of $400 or more in defacement with graffiti.

Rocha is set to be arraigned on Oct. 23, and Rodriguez Aguilar is set to be arraigned on Oct. 19, both in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Ward pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Oct. 12, and his preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Nov. 19 in Department 38 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Gonzales will be arraigned at a later date. The case was filed on Oct. 8. Those arraigned were released on their own recognizance.

From August 2025 to August 2026, Rocha and his co-defendants are accused of carrying out a series of graffiti vandalism incidents at mostly tall buildings across Los Angeles. On various dates, the defendants allegedly climbed ladders and rappelled to the tops of buildings and spray-painted graffiti down the sides.

Rocha and the other defendants also allegedly used drones to capture footage of the graffiti vandalism and generated profits through merchandise sales.

The damage resulted in $172,930 in repair costs.

"Today represents a significant step in holding accountable those responsible for widespread graffiti across Los Angeles," Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said. "These individuals allegedly targeted some of our city's most iconic buildings and public spaces, causing nearly $175,000 in documented damages. Graffiti is not a victimless crime. It impacts businesses, property owners, taxpayers, and our entire community. Let this serve as a clear message: If you deface our city, we will investigate you, identify you and hold you accountable."

If convicted as charged, Rocha faces a maximum sentence of 10 years and four months in county jail. Gonzales faces up to seven years in county jail. Rodriguez Aguilar and Ward each face a maximum sentence of three years and eight months in county jail.

The case is being prosecuted by the Central Trials Division and investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The charges in this case are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.