Renowned graffiti artist Shepard Fairey was arrested in Los Angeles earlier this week for an outstanding warrant.
Last month, it was announced that the Obey founder was wanted for vandalizing several buildings during a trip to Detroit. He was in the city to complete his largest mural to date, but confessed he had plans to do some illegal pieces during his visit.
Wayne County prosecutors charged the 45-year-old with malicious destruction of property over $1,000 and less than $20,000. According to the Detroit News, Fairey had vandalized a total of 14 properties, including two that were city-owned.
After returning to the U.S. from Europe on Monday, the artist was detained by customs agents, according to Douglas Baker, Detroit Law Department's chief of criminal enforcement.
“Our warrant was evidently discovered as he went through customs, and he was placed under arrest," Baker said in a statement.
Fairey spent the night in jail while Los Angeles officials waited to hear whether or not Wayne County wanted him extradited. Thankfully for Fairey, the county doesn’t “extradite on lower-level cases like this,” Baker said.
Fairey has since been released and is required to return to Detroit to face the charges. Stay tuned as the story unfolds.
