Northeast Iowa teens charged after racial graffiti is found on three bridges

Three teenagers have been charged after graffiti and racial slurs showed up on three bridges in Fayette and Bremer counties.

Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher said in a news release the graffiti was reported Monday on bridges on 20th and 30th streets just north of Fairbank. Investigators learned a similar incident in Bremer County also had been reported.

The sheriff's office released a picture showing the letters "KKK" spray-painted on a concrete guardrail.

Fisher said three Fairbank boys were charged Wednesday in connection with the crimes. They are Theodore J. Welter, 17, Tyler A. Welter, 16, and Jason S. Peterson, 16. They are charged with second-degree criminal mischief, a class D felony, and were referred to Juvenile Court Services.

Fisher said the investigation was a cooperative effort between law enforcement, the Wapsie Valley School District and citizens that came forward.