An elderly Illinois couple accused of vandalizing a local Republican Party headquarters has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, bringing a months-long case to a close while reigniting debate over how politically motivated vandalism is prosecuted.
Brock McNerney, 72, a retired financial planner, and Moisette McNerney, 69, a retired special education teacher, entered guilty pleas Thursday to misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property and criminal defacement of property as part of a negotiated plea agreement.
The case stems from an incident that occurred during the night of January 25, 2026, at the Republicans of Wheeling Township (ROWT) headquarters, located at 909 E. Rand Road in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Surveillance cameras reportedly captured the pair allegedly covering the office’s front windows with permanent-marker graffiti that included multiple swastikas and profanities.
