Update March 20: As of this morning, Magnano is no longer listed under the Wichita County Jail's Inmate Roster, which means he has posted bond and is no longer being housed at the jail.
A Waco resident by the name of Joseph Magnano was arrested yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, March 18) in Wichita Falls around 2 pm, according to Jeff Davis County authorities and Texas State Trooper Josh More.
Magnano was booked into the Wichita County Jail at 4:29 yesterday afternoon.
More tells KRTS Magnano was pulled over during a routine traffic stop. More then learned of a warrant out for Magnano's arrest from Presidio County. Mangano was arrested on charges of criminal mischief.
As of around 4 pm this afternoon (Wednesday March 19), Magnano was reportedly still incarcerated at the Wichita County Jail under a $20,000 bond. The Texas visual art magazine Glasstire reported today that he was expected to post bail later this afternoon.
More says that while he was being arrested, Magnano told More his intent in vandalizing Prada Marfa was to "reach out to the art world."
It's believed, but hasn't necessarily been confirmed, that Mangano operates under the artist moniker "9271997." In the days following the Prada Marfa vandalism, a signature left in the blue spray paint at the scene was traced to other works by 9271997.
Big Bend Sentinel reporter John Daniel Garcia also made contact with that person through a series of texts.
As Glasstire also reported today, Mangano was featured in a Waco Tribune article in January. In that article, Mangano explained his artistic approach:
"I like the feeling of a work in progress," he told reporter Hollie O'Connor, "No one will see it at that stage ever again."
