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SE Iowa woman pleads guilty in swastika spray-paint vandalism

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April 29th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

MUSCATINE, Iowa (KWQC) – A woman from southeast Iowa, charged after businesses around Muscatine were vandalized, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Police arrested 30-year-old Alisa Rilla Nicols Staats, of Muscatine, in January, after some of the businesses shared images of swastikas having been spray-painted on their doors or facades.

On April 24, she pleaded guilty to the following charges:

  • One count of second-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony punishable by five years in prison
  • One count of first-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor
  • One count of fourth-degree criminal mischief, an aggravated misdemeanor
  • Seven counts of fifth-degree criminal mischief, a serious misdemeanor
  • One count of terrorism, a Class D felony

    Police arrested Alisa Rilla Nicols Staats, 30, of Muscatine, in connection to numerous reports of vandalism across the city over the weekend.(Muscatine Police Department)

Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark spoke out against the vandalism on social media. Police say there were 11 victims associated with the crimes, including two restaurants, a Bar & Grill, a Tobacco & Liquor store, a hotel, the Muscatine City Hall, Susan Clark Junior High School, Muscatine Community College and two other properties.