Photo by Michael Galkovsky Michael Galkovsky

University of Maryland police have charged a 52-year-old man in connection to a swastika that was found on campus in late September.

Ronald Alfred Sr., of Hyattsville, has been charged with one count of malicious destruction of property and another count related to disturbing operations at the school.

Police suspect that Alfred painted a swastika on a trash cart at a residence hall, which was reported around 10:40 p.m. on September 27. Officials served him a summons on October 5, and he’s also been denied entry to the campus.

A number of swastikas have been found on local college campuses in recent weeks, including one reported on September 20 at Georgetown University as the college held a ceremony for the Jewish New Year celebration Rosh Hashanah.

Earlier this year, UMD officials also found a noose inside of a fraternity house and white nationalist posters on campus.

In response to Alfred’s charges, Doron Ezickson, Anti-Defamation League Washington, D.C. regional director, praised UMD police in a statement “for taking this case seriously and for their thoughtful and prompt response to this incident.”

Alfred will appear in court next month.