Cape Hatteras tire slasher convicted on federal vandalism charges

Richard Gregory Perrot [photo courtesy Dare County Detention Center]

An East Lake man has been convicted in federal court on six counts of vandalism for puncturing tires on vehicles parked within Cape Hatteras National Seashore last year.

Richard Gregory Perrot appeared in federal court before Chief United State District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, and was found guilty in connection with vandalism to two separate vehicles. He is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 14.

Perrot was arrested and charged with four counts of vandalism on Aug. 11, after he vandalized a vehicle by puncturing its tires at Ramp 23 within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Additionally, Perrot was charged with two counts of vandalism of a motor vehicle by puncturing tires in an incident at Coquina Beach on Aug. 9. Each of these charges carries up to a 6 months’ imprisonment, a $5,000 fine, up to one-year supervised release, and/or up to 5 years’ probation, the U.S. District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

According to the investigation, between July and August 2019, U.S. Park Rangers responded to 18 separate incidents of vehicles having their tires slashed. In several incidents, Perrot or his vehicle were observed in the same parking lot as the vandalized vehicles.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the verdict. The U.S. National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aakash Singh prosecuted the case.

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Kari Pugh is digital director for OBXToday.com, Beach 104, 99.1 The Sound, 94.5 WCMS and News Talk 92.3 WZPR. Reach her at kpugh@jammediallc.com