HERMITAGE A suspect has been charged after Congressman Mike Kelly's Hermitage District Office was vandalized over the weekend.

According to a criminal complaint, 46-year-old Joe Lemons of Farrell is charged with one count each of criminal mischief and harassment, both of which are third-degree misdemeanors.

The charges stem from graffiti found on the door and windows of Congressman Mike Kelly's Hermitage office Friday morning. The complaint states that the graffiti was first reported by the owner of a neighboring business.

The business owner told police he saw a man, whom he initially thought was cleaning the windows, but later suspected him of vandalizing them after seeing graffiti on the windows.

According to the complaint, messages were written across the front windows, reading "a** kisser liar," "child rape," "racism," "cover-up," and "mental illness is not a crime."

Additionally, the criminal complaint flyers were placed on the window with one allegedly reading, "GOP We don't mind if a man tries to rape you, we only mind if you don't carry his baby to term."

According to the complaint, the flyer contained images of people alleged to be associated with the Republican Party and accused them of being involved in child sex crimes.

The flyers were removed from the windows and collected as evidence according to the complaint. Kelly's office told police it cost $250 to have the windows cleaned.

"Overnight, our new Hermitage District Office was vandalized. Local law enforcement, along with U.S. Capitol Police, are investigating the incident. Our staff members are safe and were not in the office at the time of the crime. Let's be clear: political violence and vandalism are never acceptable," said Rep. Kelly.

The following day, police were called to the Hermitage Applebee's because a man matching the suspect's description was spotted there.

Police say they spotted a Jeep Cherokee registered to Lemons with both windows rolled down. According to the complaint, police found a white step stool and a bottle of red paint, as well as a baseball cap with "Antifa" written on it inside the Jeep.

Police spoke with Lemons, who allegedly admitted to vandalizing the building, saying that he did not make any threatening messages and that he used an acrylic paint that easily washes off with soapy water.

Police say Lemons voluntarily gave officers the paint, paintbrush and step stool used in the crime, and even showed officers pictures he took of the vandalism.

According to court records, Lemons is set to be arraigned August 14. 

The Hermitage District Office opened last month along East State Street after relocating from Sharon.

Kelly, a Republican, has been in office since 2011.