LEDYARD, Conn. — A Norwich man accused of breaking into a Gales Ferry church and painting profanity inside last month has been arrested on hate crime and burglary charges, according to police.
Madison Barrett, 33, turned himself into Ledyard police early Tuesday morning.
He is accused of breaking into Our Lady of Lourdes Church on 1650 Route 12 in Gales Ferry around 1 a.m. on March 11, where he allegedly vandalized and painted hateful comments inside. According to court papers, the comments are aimed at the LGBTQ community.
"We were on top of it from the very beginning," said Cpt. Ken Creutz with the Ledyard Police Department.
The morning after the crime, police blasted pictures from the surveillance video from inside the church, which they say catches Barrett in the act. A short time later, police were getting tips from all over, including from close friends and family.
"That's how the use of social media is integral. And that's really the key to the whole case," Cpt. Creutz said.
After family members recognized the man in the photos as Barrett, they made contact with the police.
"The contact with the family happened only days later. that was what helped us make the identification," Cpt. Creutz said.
Then, they had a warrant out for Barrett's arrest. However, they've been waiting more than a month for him to finish mental health treatments first, which he sought out after the incident.
"Today was the day he was supposed to turn himself in. And he did," Cpt. Creutz said on Tuesday.
Right after turning himself in, Barrett was arraigned in New London Superior Court.
"Mr. Barrett, this is a problem, this is a serious case," said Hon. Kevin Murphy, a Superior Court Judge in New London.
Barrett's attorney argued this whole incident was the result of a mental health episode.
"He himself is bisexual, so this is extremely outside of the realm of who he is," his attorney said in court.
The affidavit shows the writing in the church was related to the devil and the "dark lord". Family members told police, "Madison has often spoke about good versus evil and that he believes that satan is a higher power over god."
The affidavit also showed that Madison had been treated for mental illness in the past and was prescribed medication, which he was off of at the time of the crime.
His father spoke to FOX61, saying his son is having a mental health crisis, and that his family is very inclusive.
"They were clear in telling us that this was the first time where he was taking actions on whatever his mental illness was presenting to him," Creutz said.
The FBI New Haven and Connecticut State Police biased Crimes Unit assisted with this investigation.
Barrett has been charged with Intimidation Based on Bigotry or Bias in the 2nd Degree, Burglary in the 1st Degree, and Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree.
The judge set Barrett's bond at $30,000 which, his family planned on paying. If he does post-bond, the judge said he must check in with the bail commissioner once a week and continue with mental health treatments.
In the meantime, Barrett is scheduled to be back in court on May 18.
Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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