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Neighbors defend man accused of child-sex crimes

Posted at 9:01 AM, Oct 16, 2012
and last updated 2012-10-16 09:01:49-04

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HAZLE TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WNEP) – Pennsylvania State police are investigating a case of vandalism after someone spray painted words like ‘child molester’ and ‘pervert’ on a property in Hazle Township. Neighbors on said it happened sometime over the weekend.

“I have no idea who could have done that, if somebody did it, I guess it is somebody who is affected,” said Maximo Figuereo, a neighbor who called the police Sunday when he spotted the markings.

The man who lives in the spray-painted home was charged last week of sexually assaulting a child. Lanning Vagts is in the Luzerne County jail.

“He`s always a great guy, needed help picking something up to heavy, he`d always jump to help you, great guy. He`d always help you out if you needed help,” said one neighbor who did not want to be identified.

“I`ve known him for about 10 years and he doesn`t come off to be that kind of a person,” said another neighbor who also did not want to be identified. “I hope the house is cleaned up and I hope the best for him, but hopefully somebody does come and clean up the house if not, maybe all of us around here could come and clean it up.”

Some of the neighbors we spoke with said they have known Vagts for years and think he’s being falsely accused. He is locked up on $50,000 bail.