YOUNGSTOWN — Caleb Vancampen, 20, who damaged 16 statues at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica last February, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of felony vandalism and will enter a mental health treatment program that would allow him to have his conviction erased if he completes the program successfully.

Vancampen, from East Palestine, entered his plea by video from the Mahoning County jail before Judge Anthony D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Vancampen will undergo a program lasting at least one year at the Doris Burdman Home in Youngstown, which is a “clinically managed high intensity mental health residential treatment” facility, according to D’Apolito’s judgment entry.

When he leaves, he will be required to receive recommended outpatient counseling, case management and medication management. He will be supervised by the Mahoning County Adult Probation Department for at least one year. He will be required to have random drug and alcohol tests.

He then will be required to report back to the court for further proceedings.

The Burdman Home is not a locked-down facility, prosecutors said.

During Vancampen’s hearing, assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Paris told the judge the prosecutor’s office did not object to Vancampen entering the program.

Vancampen was ordered to pay $1,250 in restitution to the church, which has asked that Vancampen not be allowed back on the grounds.

D’Apolito noted, however, that church officials have indicated that Vancampen is permitted to call the church if there is something the church can do to help him.

“They said if you really needed something, you can call, and they will still try to figure out how to help you,” D’Apolito said. “Hopefully you don’t need that.”

The judge noted that Vancampen could still serve the 18 months of prison time that is possible for a felony vandalism conviction.

“I’m going to hold 18 months over your head. I’m going to reserve 18 months in prison, but I hope it will never ever come to that,” D’Apolito said. “If it does and you destroy something or hurt someone or yourself, then prison will be the last step.”

Surveillance video showed Vancampen destroying statues and dancing around Feb. 26, 2021. Church officials estimate the damage to the statues was $60,000 to $65,000. All but $1,250 of the cost to replace them was paid by insurance, said the church’s pastor, the Rev. Msgr. Michael Cariglio.

Most of the statutes had been replaced as of last November.

Vancampen pleaded guilty Oct. 14 in Youngstown Municipal Court to misdemeanor theft and was ordered to serve 180 days in the Mahoning County jail with credit for 180 days already served.

On that date, Vancampen also pleaded guilty to criminal damaging and was sentenced to a fine or community service. Municipal Judge Renee DiSalvo dismissed a misdemeanor assault charge. That involved a police officer at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital on Feb. 19, 2021. The theft involved stealing from cars in the downtown area early Feb. 25 last year.

erunyan@vindy.com