Nolan Hollenden, 32, of Warrington. (Credit: Warrington Township Police)
A misdemeanor criminal trespassing charge was withdrawn and a disorderly conduct charge was moved to non-traffic court following a preliminary hearing this month for a Warrington Township man accused of trespassing on an elementary school property, claiming it was “feeding pallets of food to all the illegals.”
Nolan Thomas Hollenden, 32, of the 700 block of Philadelphia Avenue, was initially charged by police in September, after he allegedly refused to leave the property of John Barclay Elementary School during a community farmers market. According to PhillyBurbs, Barclay hosts a farmers market the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the 2015 Palomino Drive school.
Per the report, the market gives away about 10,000 pounds of food to families in need per event.
On Sept. 26, at 5:02 p.m., per the affidavit, police were called to the school for a disorderly person who was trespassing, identified as Hollenden.
Police said the school’s principal was hosting the market event, which is invite-only and pre-registration is required. The principal saw Hollenden walking throughout the market, per the complaint, spoke with him, and had a brief conversation about the work the school does for the food market.
Hollenden, police allege, became agitated and asked the principal if he was “feeding all of these illegals.” The principal, police said, told Hollenden he did not know and needed him to leave the property.
Hollenden, being agitated and aggressive, allegedly told the principal he did not need to leave because he was a taxpayer and had every right to be there.
Police said Hollenden was told to leave four times by the principal, and on the fourth time, was told he will call the police.
When the principal walked away to call the police and enter the school, police allege Hollenden followed the principal inside the school vestibule, where he was demanded to leave immediately.
The principal had to physically block Hollenden with his body so he would not enter the school, police allege in the affidavit.
All the while, police allege Hollenden was holding his phone up, saying multiple times that the school “was feeding pallets of food to all the illegals” for five minutes, even attempting to interact with guests and children.
Police said a “No Trespassing” sign is posted at the school.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
