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yesterday

Judge Releases Little Village Vandal Charged With Hate Crimes Under Strict Conditions

He admitted acting out of hostility toward Palestinians coupled with resentment of Latino communities over immigration issues.

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Bibiana Mesa paints over graffiti reading “ICE RULES” on July 20, 2025, after a vandal tagged their grocery store, La Fruteria, for the second night in a row in the 2700 block of West Cermak Avenue in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Bibiana Mesa paints over graffiti reading “ICE RULES” on July 20, 2025, after an overnight vandal tagged their grocery store, La Fruteria, for the second night in a row in the 2700 block of West Cermak Avenue in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • Philip Dominguez, 39, faces five felony hate-crime counts along with one felony and five misdemeanor property damage charges for the July spray-painting incidents.
  • Authorities accuse him of defacing a legal clinic, a Hispanic grocery store, a community center and State Sen. Celina Villanueva’s district office with swastikas and “ICE rules” between July 19 and 20.
  • Court filings state Dominguez told prosecutors his actions were fueled by anger at Palestinians and resentment toward Latino residents over immigration and Palestine issues.
  • Cook County Judge Ankur Srivastava ordered his release pending trial under conditions barring contact with victims or witnesses, weekly check-ins and avoidance of the vandalized sites.
  • Local organizations including Latinos Progresando and the Chicago Liberation Center condemned the hate-motivated attacks and pledged to restore defaced murals while continuing services for immigrant communities.