Centerville cops weigh free speech while investigating racial slurs painted on car

A car spray painted with racial slurs and swastikas in Houston County likely wasn’t a case of vandalism, and the person behind it will not likely face charges related to to the offensive motifs, according to the Centerville Police Department.

Officers identified a person of interest who allegedly spray painted the vehicle by Tuesday morning, according to Chief Cedric Duncan. Photos of the vehicle surfaced on Facebook over the weekend.

Investigators don’t believe the car was vandalized by someone else because the person who spray painted it was connected to the vehicle, and did not appear to target anyone specific, according to Duncan.

The car was not stolen, and Duncan said, “in my opinion,” the car was not vandalized.

The car’s license plate didn’t match up to the person of interest, Duncan said. The license plate was expired. The vehicle registration was also expired. The car was towed away Saturday from a parking lot in front of Crunch Fitness at Houston County Galleria Mall, which is west of Warner Robins.

A person whose name is tied to the car faced charges related to the expired tag and registration, but not related to the lewd spray paint, Duncan said.

“We’re still trying to wrap our head around what can be done because ... it was their First Amendment,” Duncan said.

Hate speech is largely protected by the First Amendment. Since the act did not appear to involve a specific victim, nor put anyone in danger, it’s hard to charge the person in connection to a hate crime.

Duncan spoke with the Houston County District Attorney’s Office Tuesday morning to discuss legal options and possible repercussions.

The police department was still investigating the incident Tuesday afternoon.

The district attorney’s office did not immediately respond to The Telegraph’s request for comment.