Hundreds of cockroaches were released inside a city courthouse in Albany, the capitol of New York, on Tuesday morning.
WNYT-TV reported that the incident occurred while four individuals were being arraigned at the courthouse. At some point, one defendant began to record the proceedings and an altercation ensued when they ignored commands to stop.
The four had been arrested at a protest in May about rent control issues, according to the Times Union.
During the altercation, the cockroaches on lettuce were released from plastic containers.
Court officials said that the courthouse was shut down on Tuesday in order to fumigate the affected area.
The director of public information with the Unified Court System said that an investigation was being conducted into the incident and that additional charges might be applied to who was responsible.
“What transpired is not advocacy or activism, it is criminal behavior with the intent to disrupt a proceeding and cause damage,” said spokesman Lucian Chalfen. “Prosecution and restitution for the costs of the clean up as taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for these actions.”
Police charged 34-year-old activist Clyanna Lightbourn with tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest, criminal contempt, and disorderly conduct, but she was not identified as the person who released the cockroaches and it was unclear who did it.
Albany District Attorney David Soares also issued a statement about the incident.
“Court proceedings were moved to a virtual format in the immediate aftermath, and an exterminator was brought in to clear the area,” said his statement in part.
“While the incident remains under investigation, the Office of the District Attorney would like to emphasize that while the right to protest is protected, we oppose the disruption of court proceedings, and the apparent display of disrespect shown to the court,” he concluded.
The court was scheduled to reopen on Wednesday.
Here’s a local news video about the unsettling incident:
Hundreds of cockroaches released inside Albany City Court www.youtube.com