Suspect accused of defacing signs put up by local church

An investigation into vandalism of church signs has led to the arrest of a Taft man and the seizure of several full-automatic assault rifles.

The suspect was identified as Jack Alfred Dennis, 34, of Taft.

He is charged with committing a religious hate crime, and unlawful possession of unregistered assault rifles.

The investigation started when “Nothing But Jesus” signs put on by the West Side Believers Fellowship were defaced, chief of Police Ed Whiting said.

The investigation led officers to obtain the search warrant, which was served Friday at a home at 504 Harding Street.

Whiting said officers located and sized a blue felt marker believed to have been used in the vandalism, plus the assault rifles, another assault rifle under construction, booklets and pamphlets containing what Whiting described as “anti-government literature” plus instructional material for manufacturing methamphetamine and how to defeat bullet-proof vests.