Man admits beheading religious statues outside McHenry Co. church

A McHenry County man pleaded guilty Thursday to allegations he decapitated statues of Jesus and Joseph outside a Harvard church, avoiding a possible prison sentence for the vandalism spree earlier this year.

Skyler G. Hall, 21, of Harvard, instead must serve two years probation, pay a $500 fine and reimburse St. Joseph Catholic Church $7,185 after admitting guilt to a misdemeanor charge of criminal damage to property.

Authorities initially charge Hall with a felony count of the same charge in connection with the April 6 incident in which police said he used a lead pipe to knock the heads off the two white stone statues standing in front of the church and damage a nearby Virgin Mary statue, chipping its nose.

Police said there is no indication of any prior conflict between the church, or any church, and Hall.

"It was a deliberate, random act of vandalism," Harvard police Lt. Andrew Oparyk said. "The reason? He just did it."

Hall declined to comment as he left court Thursday.