Graffiti Artist Shepard Fairey, Who Created Obama's 'Hope' Poster, Faces Felony Charges For Tagging Buildings In Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ)  - A world-renowned street artist known for his iconic Obama "Hope" poster has been arraigned on felony charges in Detroit for tagging several buildings.

Shepard Fairey, 45, was arraigned on two counts of malicious destruction of property Tuesday after turning himself in to police.

Fairey was sought on a warrant last month after police say he caused about $9,000 in damage to other structures while he was in Detroit to complete commissioned works, including a large mural. 

Fairey appeared in court Tuesday via video from a police lockup. He stood mute to the charges and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Bond was set at $75,000, 10 percent, and he was released later that day.

Last week, a Detroit law department official said Fairey was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport and later released. He reportedly flew to Detroit Monday night at which time he told the Detroit Free Press that he couldn't discuss the issue.

Fourteen buildings and structures were vandalized in total, including two city-owned properties, police said.

Prosecutor Douglas Baker said Fairey painted his Andre the Giant tag on numerous buildings.

"We get a lot of these coming in from outside the city," Baker told WWJ's Sandra McNeill. "The view is no one cares and they can get away with it here when they wouldn't in their own community."

"In some ways (we're hoping for) a changing of the view or the mentality of some people," Baker said. "They think they can come in and dump their old refuses, or tires, or cars; people think that they can come in and tag buildings...just another layer in the struggle against crime."

Fairey visited Detroit in May when he was commissioned by Bedrock Real Estate Services, Meridian Health and Library Street Collective to paint a 184-foot by 60 foot mural and six smaller works in the art-filled alley known as 'The Belt."

The felony charges against him carry a penalty of up to five years in jail.

Asked whether Baker will push to see Fairey locked up or if prosecutors would consider allowing him to pay restitution, Baker declined to comment.

A July 28 preliminary examination was scheduled in the case.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.