Skinhead released by authorities

PortervilleÂ’s most vocal advocate of the white skinhead movement was not charged with any crimes in relation to skinhead fliers found outside David Horowitz Jewelers.

Jeffrey David Lodor, 27, was arrested Thursday after admitting he distributed the fliers.

While fliers were initially found only outside Horowitz Jewelers last Wednesday morning, Lodor said he distributed around 50 fliers along Main Street and did not target Horowitz.

The fliers, which read "support your local skinheads of the racial holy war," were around the jewelry store, stuffed under the door with one actually taped to the door, a Horowitz employee said.

Later the same day, according to a police report, a witness reported seeing someone place additional fliers on a Main Street business.

Porterville officers arrested Lodor on suspicion of criminal threats and defacing personal property with the intent to interfere with a personÂ’s constitutional rights.

Lodor said in a previous report that he will continue to distribute fliers because his actions are protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

While Lodor was scheduled for arraignment Tuesday, a representative from the Tulare County District AttorneyÂ’s Office said no charges were filed. Absent an arraignment, authorities can only hold a suspect for 72 hours from the time of arrest, excluding weekends and holidays.

Horowitz said he received a phone call from police Tuesday, notifying him that Lodor was no longer in custody.

"The police have been very helpful," Horowitz said. "IÂ’ve had a lot people come into my business just to shake my hand and to let me know theyÂ’re behind me. ThereÂ’s been a lot of support from the community."

Lodor, a proponent of the Creator Skinhead Movement, has his own supporters.

A letter, stapled to a flier identical to those left outside of Horowitz Jewelers, was hand delivered to The Recorder office on Monday by a young man with a shaved head. The letter defends LodorÂ’s actions and criticizes his arrest.

Contact Sarah Elizabeth Villicana at 784-5000, Ext. 1045 or svillicana@portervillerecorder.com.