East Palestine man who vandalized church statues back in jail

An East Palestine man convicted of vandalizing sixteen religious statues at a Youngstown church more than two years ago was back in jail this past weekend.

Twenty-two-year-old Caleb Vancampen was booked into the Mahoning County Justice Center on Friday for an alleged probation violation.

Vancampen was accused of destroying mostly fiberglass statues outside of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in February 2021,  causing around $100,000 in damage. Two granite statues and a light pole globe were also damaged.

Some of the statues appeared to be struck by bricks and others were decapitated.

After pleading guilty to criminal damaging in February of last year, VanCampen was ordered to take part in a one-to-five-year intervention program that involves counseling and treatment, instead of going to jail.

A judge issued a warrant for Vancampen's arrest in mid-April for the alleged probation violation.  Court records do not specify the nature of the alleged violation.

As of early Monday, Vancampen remained jailed.