Fort Lauderdale Man Charged with Vandalizing Courthouse
A federal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale has charged Matthew Leon Chilcutt, 43, with destruction of federal property for allegedly causing extensive damage to the U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Fort Lauderdale on September 5, 2022.
According to the complaint, Chilcutt broke into the courthouse’s main entrance and vandalized the interior and exterior spaces of the building, including smashing windows, breaking doors, causing water damage, and destroying other property.
Chilcutt was found inside the courthouse by officers from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department who arrested him and charged him with burglary. The courthouse was closed to the public during the incident in observance of the Labor Day holiday, and no one was injured.
Chilcutt is scheduled to appear in federal court on September 9, 2022, to answer the federal charges. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Protective Service, with assistance from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Snider is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 22-mj-06428.
Defendant: Matthew Leon Chilcutt
Criminal Charge: Destruction of federal property
City and State: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Date: September 5, 2022
Sentence: Up to 10 years in prison (if convicted)
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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