Wheeling Man Charged With Hate Crime for Allegedly Painting Swastikas on Elmhurst Church

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced today that bond has been set for a Wheeling man charged with painting multiple swastikas on an Elmhurst Church. Josef Stumpfoll, 35 (d.o.b. 11/27/1987), of the 900 block of Elizabeth Court, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Robert Miller set bond at $100,000 with 10% to apply. Stumpfoll has been charged with one count of Hate Crime (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Institutional Vandalism – Church (Class3 Felony).

It is alleged that on December 30, 2022, at approximately midnight, Stumpfoll went to the Pathway Community Church located at 586 N. Michigan in Elmhurst, painted seven swastikas on the church windows and then fled the scene. An investigation conducted by the Elmhurst Police Department led to Stumpfoll who was taken into custody from his home in Wheeling without incident.

“Hate crimes have no place in a civilized society,” Berlin said. “The allegations against Mr. Stumpfoll are very disturbing and in DuPage County we have no tolerance whatsoever for such actions. I commend the Elmhurst Police Department for their quick identification and apprehension of the defendant in this case. I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Alyssa Rabulinski and Haley Harlan for their work in preparing a strong case against Mr. Stumpfoll.”

“It is alleged Mr. Stumpfoll was a prior member and specifically targeted this church. Hate crimes are not tolerated in our community and I thank the investigating officers and detectives for their work to swiftly apprehend Mr. Stumpfoll. I also wish to thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their work on this case,” Chief McLean said.

Stumpfoll’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 30, 2023, for arraignment in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.