Arlington Heights couple pleads guilty to vandalizing local GOP headquarters

The Arlington Heights couple charged with vandalizing the Republicans of Wheeling Township headquarters in January pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges Thursday.

Brock McNerney, a 72-year-old retired financial planner, and Moisette McNerney, a 69-year-old retired special education teacher, admitted to criminal damage to property and criminal defacement of property charges as part of a plea agreement.

Cook County Judge Thomas Newinski sentenced the couple to 18 months court supervision, 100 hours of community service, a $100 fine and court costs. Newinski also ordered the couple to pen an apology letter to the Wheeling Township organization.

Following the hearing at the Rolling Meadows courthouse, Wheeling Township Republican Committeeman John Saletta expressed respect for the court system, the law and the Constitution. He also thanked the judge, prosecutors and police for their hard work.

“We look forward to receiving the apology letter the court ordered. We hope it will be soon and we hope it will be sincere,” Saletta said. “The people in our organization deserve that.”

Video surveillance on Jan. 25 captured two people, later identified as the couple, drawing swastikas and profanities on the windows of the GOP group’s office in the 900 block of Rand Road in Arlington Heights. They also tossed what appeared to be feces and an unknown liquid on the front door, authorities said.

Some of the markings in permanent black ink defaced a portrait of Charlie Kirk, the slain conservative activist who was born in Arlington Heights and volunteered at the GOP office as a Wheeling High School student years ago.

Defense attorney Jason Stevens said Thursday that his clients took accountability for their actions, adding that they had no prior criminal record.

“They’re going to abide by their sentence,” he said.