Cape Girardeau man charged with hate crimes for Islamic Center propety damage

A Cape Girardeau man has been charged with two hate crimes for property damage he allegedly committed at the Islamic Center in Cape Girardeau Sunday night.

According to a news release from Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, Nicholas John Proffitt, 31, is charged with first-degree property damage for allegedly damaging the front door of the Islamic Center by throwing rocks at the building and second-degree property damage for allegedly damaging the windshield of a car parked in the center's parking lot at 293 West End Blvd. Swingle said Proffitt is also charged with misdemeanors of driving while intoxicated, speeding and failure to wear a seatbelt for offenses he allegedly committed four hours after the property damage.

Associate Circuit Judge Gary A. Kamp set his bond at $15,000 cash only.

Swingle said that if the prosecution proves property damage was committed because of a motive related to the religion of the victim, Proffitt's punishment would be enhanced. First-degree property damage exceeds $750 and carries a prison term sentence of up to four years. Swingle said that as a hate crime it carries up to seven years in prison.

Second-degree property damage carries a maximum range of punishment of up to one year in a county jail and four years in prison as a hate crime.

Swingle said that hate crimes are rare in Cape Girardeau County, with less than one each year.