A Prince George’s County man has been charged with multiple hate-related offenses after investigators determined he vandalized a campaign highway sign by spray-painting a swastika and white supremacist language on it.
Brent Allen Wood was arrested on May 12, 2026, and charged the following day in District Court for Prince George’s County. He faces four misdemeanor counts: use of a hate item or symbol, a race or religion crime against a person or group, malicious destruction of property valued under $1,000, and obstruction and hindering.
Under Maryland law, it is a crime to place or inscribe a symbol such as a swastika on property with the intent to threaten or intimidate a person or group. State statute specifically identifies the swastika as an example of a prohibited item when used in this context. Investigators determined that the combination of the symbol and accompanying language met the criteria for hate-related charges under Maryland’s bias crime laws.
The vandalism occurred on a public thoroughfare. According to Greg Holmes, for Prince George’s County Executive campaign, a community member recorded video of the incident on April 30, which was provided to investigators and helped identify Wood. The Bowie Police Department responded to the initial report, and the Prince George’s County Office of Homeland Security conducted the active investigation.
Political campaign signs are considered protected speech. When they are defaced with hate symbols, law enforcement can pursue charges under both general criminal statutes and Maryland’s specific hate crime provisions. These laws allow prosecutors to treat crimes differently when they are motivated, in whole or in substantial part, by bias against characteristics such as race or religion.
While the charges filed against Wood are misdemeanors, Maryland’s hate crime statutes can carry enhanced penalties in certain circumstances and may also trigger collateral consequences, such as restrictions on firearm possession. The case remains active in the District Court system.
Greg Holmes, the candidate whose signs were targeted, said the incident represented an attack on residents who support his campaign. He stated that the matter is now properly in the hands of the justice system and that the campaign is returning its focus to its platform and the upcoming primary election.
Early voting for the June 23 primary is scheduled to begin June 11.
