Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Man accused of breaking windows at Reno courthouse during protest

One of the people accused of bashing in windows at a Reno courthouse during a George Floyd-inspired protest, causing nearly $45,000 in damages, allegedly told an acquaintance that “the cops are not smart enough to find him.”

But by the time he was in federal custody, Keith Leroy Moreno, 27, had been identified through media footage, a police officer who had recognized him from previous interactions, and two acquaintances and an anonymous tipster who had heard him boasting about the crime, according to court documents. 

A red pullover sweatshirt with a Nike logo he’d repeatedly worn recently, including during the May 30 protest, was a constant identifier.

Thirty to 40 protesters gathered at the Reno Federal Courthouse late on May 30. Video caught several protesters throwing objects through the glass windows. 

An FBI agent gathered screenshots of news media footage from the incident and spotted a burly man in glasses, dark pants, white sneakers and the red sweatshirt, the documents said. 

The man was seen launching a 23-pound cigarette receptacle, and two rocks at the building, shattering three out of seven damaged windows. Cleaning costs came out to more than $8,000 and the price to repair the windows totaled more than $36,000.

The agent put out the photo in a bulletin and a week later was contacted by a Reno police officer, who said he’d recognized the red-sweatshirt subject as Moreno, the documents said. 

Moreno, who’s facing one federal count of destruction of government property, faces up to 10 years if convicted, and a $250,000 fine. 

“Our office is committed to protecting the First Amendment right to peacefully protest and demonstrate,” said U.S. Attorney for the district of Nevada Nicholas Trutanich in a news release. “But violence, destruction and vandalism, including damage to federal property such as courthouses, will not be tolerated.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron Rouse added:  “The FBI’s mission is to uphold the Constitution, which includes freedom of speech and the right to assemble. We will continue working with our federal, state and local partners to ensure individuals who destroy parts of our city will be held accountable.”