FARGO — A woman has been accused of felony criminal mischief after allegedly toppling a statue of Jesus while topless inside St. Mary's Cathedral in downtown Fargo on Monday, Jan. 23.
Brittany Marie Reynolds, 35, was observed by Fargo police officers exiting the cathedral at 619 7th St. N. at about 6:24 p.m., according to court documents. Reynolds was detained across the street after she allegedly attempted to run away.
Reynolds was not wearing a shirt, bra or shoes and was unable to answer basic orientation questions, appearing under the influence of narcotics, according to court documents.
When police entered the cathedral, they found a large statue of Jesus that had been ripped off the wall and smashed on the floor, court documents said.
Officers were then able to access church surveillance footage, which shows Reynolds entering the church and flipping over a potted plant before destroying the statue, court documents stated.
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Monsignor Joseph Goering reported to police that he did not know the price of the statue, but officers found a similar statue online that was appraised at $11,500, according to court documents.
Reynolds was arrested for the incident and a warrant was also served on her for being aggressive toward staff at a local hospital, according to court documents.
She made her first court appearance Wednesday afternoon on the criminal mischief charge, a Class B felony. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Reynolds remained in custody Wednesday at the Cass County Jail.
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