Belleville, IL (KSDK) - The St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office charged an 18-year-old Belleville man for allegedly breaking into a Metro East church and damaging property, among other charges.
The incident occurred July 3 at The New Freedom Church on West Main Street. Court documents allege Codie Engelke broke into the building, knowingly damaged property in excess of $300. Engelke is also accused of writing a racial slur on a chalkboard located inside the church.
Engelke remains in custody on $150,000 bond at St. Clair County Jail.
If convicted of all three charges, Codie Engelke faces up 23 years in prison and 108 months of probation upon his release.
KSDK