Swastika vandalism in Miami Beach lands homeless man in jail, police say

Sean Kenna obsessively vandalized property from February to March

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – For months, Sean Kenna was obsessed with scrawling swastikas on public and private property, according to the Miami Beach Police Department. 

Police said Kenna, who is homeless, was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in connection with seven incidents this year.

Detectives said they have evidence linking Kenna to these incidents:

Feb. 9: Swastika at the gate of a house in the 200 block of West 35th Street. Damage estimated at $50.

Feb. 11: Swastika and "death" on a mailbox at 445 W. 40th St. Damage estimated at $20.

March 2: Swastika, devil and "death" on an electrical box in the 2900 block of Flamingo Drive. Damage estimated at $200.

March 6: Swastika and "death" on a CitiBike pay machine at 4000 Chase Ave. Damage estimated at $50.

March 6: Swastika and "kill the Jews" on a pedestrian sign in the 5300 block of the Miami Beach Boardwalk. Damage estimated at $100.

March 16: Swastika and "death" on an electrical box at 5500 Collins Ave. Damage estimated at $50.

March 19: Devil on an electrical box in the 2900 block of Flamingo Drive. Damage estimated at $100.

Kenna faces seven counts of felony criminal mischief. The Miami-Dade County state attorney's office will be considering the possibility of adding on hate crime enhancements.


About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.