California man pleads no contest in Las Vegas political sign vandalism case

A California man accused of defacing some five dozen political signs in the Las Vegas Valley pleaded no contest to a gross misdemeanor in court early Wednesday and was sentenced to 30 days in jail along with restitution.

David Lawrence Smith Jr., 73, appeared in court with the assistance of a walker and wearing unkempt, long white hair and a scraggly beard. He attempted to conceal his face from a photographer by holding a piece of paper in front of him for several minutes prior to his case being called.

Smith entered a no-contest plea to malicious destruction of property during the appearance before District Court Judge Colleen Brown. A no-contest plea is not a formal admission of guilt, but it subjects a defendant to conviction and punishment as if the defendant had pleaded guilty.

During court proceedings, Brown asked the septuagenarian if he had trouble hearing her.

“Not yet,” Smith responded.

Later Brown asked Smith if he had signed the plea agreement.

“Yes, that’s my scribble,” Smith said.

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Smith in August after authorities said he vandalized some 60 political campaign signs across the valley. Police said they used hidden cameras to capture him on video defacing signs that depicted California Gov. Gavin Newsom with Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford.

On Aug. 20, police installed two hidden cameras at Buffalo and Alta drives where one of the signs had been replaced four times due to vandalism. Three days later, one of the signs near the intersection was vandalized, and Smith was caught on camera. Automated license plate readers also were used to track down Smith.

Police said Smith vandalized at least one other campaign sign on Aug. 24 before his arrest later that day at Primm Valley Casino.

Smith had a Walmart receipt for spray paint cans in his pocket, according to the report. When police looked in the windows of his car, they saw multiple spray paint cans inside. He initially denied painting the signs, saying he had spray paint in his car because he was planning to paint the wheels of his car.

Replacing the signs cost about $6,400, according to police.

Smith has a prior criminal history including charges of grand theft, possession of burglary tools and assault with a gun, Metro said in its arrest report. Smith told police that Newsom “destroyed California.”

Police said Smith spray-painted swastikas over Newsom’s face on signs that were the product of a political action committee that supports Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo and highlighted Newsom’s endorsement of Ford. Ford, a Democrat, is running against Lombardo in this year’s Nevada governor’s race.

As Brown prepared to sentence Smith, she asked Smith if he had anything to add.

“Anything I have to add is irrelevant at this point,” Smith said.

Brown sentenced Smith, who is homeless, to 30 days in the Clark County Detention Center with 21 days credit for time served. She also ordered he pay $4,573.43 in restitution.

Contact Glenn Puit at gpuit@reviewjournal.com.