MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – A Macomb County man was sentenced to one year in prison for spray-painting racist graffiti on a predominately Black church in Roseville, officials said.
David Bluer, 34, of Warren, pleaded guilty to one count of damaging religious property on Dec. 3, 2024.
As part of the guilty plea, Bluer admitted to spray-painting swastikas, the word “die” and other graffiti on Greater New Life Church in Roseville in October 2021, according to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Michigan.
He admitted that he targeted the church because it serves a predominately Black congregation and is led by a Black pastor.
Bluer also spray-painted similar graffiti on the public bathroom at Trombley Park in Warren, because Black people were enjoying the park, according to a release from prosecutors in March 2024.
“The defendant’s attack, motivated by race and color, instilled fear in not only the mostly Black congregants of the church, but damaged the entire community’s sense of safety. Our office will always vigorously prosecute those who commit unlawful bias-motivated acts and seek justice for the victims,” Acting U.S. Attorney Beck said.
The FBI Detroit Field Office investigated the case.
