Baltimore County Police have arrested an 18-year-old Eldersburg man accused of spray-painting racist and pornographic graffiti in the newly built Taneytown home of an African-American woman last month.

Jason M. Young of the 4200 block of Jim Bowers Road was charged Thursday with malicious destruction of property, grand theft, grand theft scheme and eight counts of burglary.

Taneytown Police said Young and a 16-year-old companion broke into three houses there during the night of Oct. 4, including one being built by Karen Magruder, a participant in a church-sponsored self-help project.

Police said Young and the 16-year-old vandalized Magruder's home, leaving racist and pornographic messages on kitchen walls and appliances.

The 16-year-old, who was arrested last week, was charged with burglary and malicious destruction of property.

The FBI had participated in the investigation along with Taneytown Police. An FBI spokesman said last week that the Justice Department will decide whether the facts warrant federal prosecution as a hate crime.

Pub Date: 11/15/98