Megan E. Sutton, a 42-year-old woman from Valparaiso, has been charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly defacing campaign signs belonging to Commissioner Jim Biggs. According to county officials, Sutton is a former director of the Memorial Opera House, a position she held from September 18, 2023, until her resignation on May 31, 2024. She was booked into Porter County Jail on a Class A misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief on Tuesday afternoon but has since been released.
The charge stems from Sutton allegedly using spray paint to vandalize Biggs’ campaign signs, which were damaged between September 22 and October 16. The estimated cost of the damages is approximately $900. Biggs, a Republican seeking his third consecutive term as county commissioner, noted that all defaced signs were located in Liberty Township, with residents notifying him about the vandalism. Specific locations of the damaged signs included intersections on County Road 900 North and Meridian Road and Calumet Avenue.
Former Valparaiso Opera House Director Faces Charges for Alleged Vandalism of Commissioner’s Campaign Signs
Witnesses played a key role in the investigation; one individual reported seeing someone spray painting a sign near the 49er Drive-in. This witness took action by recording the incident on their cellphone and confronting the person responsible for the vandalism, which helped provide crucial evidence. The nature of the defacement included crude language and imagery, indicating a serious level of disrespect towards the campaign materials.
In light of the incident, Commissioner Biggs expressed a willingness to consider dropping the charges against Sutton if she seeks counseling. He remarked on the apparent issues indicated by the nature of her actions, suggesting that there may be underlying problems that extend beyond the vandalism itself. This compassionate approach indicates Biggs’s understanding of the complexity of the situation and a desire to address Sutton’s potential mental health needs.
The case will be handled by a special prosecutor, as indicated by online court records. As of now, Sutton does not have a scheduled initial hearing date, and the legal proceedings will unfold as further details emerge. This incident raises broader questions about the conduct of public figures and the respect owed to campaign efforts, especially in a politically charged environment.
