'Nazi' Graffiti Earns the Artist 30 Days in Jail

A 48-year-old Port Washington man charged in connection with painting Nazi and Ku Klux Klan graffiti in the city on several occasions has been sentenced to serve 30 days in jail.

Ozaukee County Circuit Judge Paul Malloy sentenced Dale R. Ziegler to 9 months in jail, with 8 months of his sentenced stayed, according to court records. Ziegler only has 15 more days to serve, as he was credited for 15 days of jail time when he was arrested in September; he also has a history of mental illness, according to the Ozaukee Press. 

The graffiti started on the Ozaukee Interurban Trail just beyond where it meets up with East Jackson Street, and continued near the church, where a message read, "Hitler's food pantry." St. Peter's Church houses Port's Food Pantry, and Ziegler, who is unemployed, blamed the pantry for not giving him enough food.

Spray-painted letters spelled out phrases such as, "nazi city," "ku klux klan," "human toilet," "f*** head," swastika symbols and more.

Similar graffiti was also found in 2010. Ziegler faced two felony counts of criminal damage to religious property as well as two misdemeanor counts for graffiti in connection with these crimes. The maximum penalty was 8-1/2 years in prison and/or $40,000 in fines.