Michigan man pleads guilty to defacing Black church in Roseville

(CBS DETROIT) A Warren man has entered a guilty plea to charges of spray-painting many swastikas and other graffiti on a Roseville church that is primarily Black.

According to reports, in October 2021, 34-year-old David Bluer spray-painted the word “die” and swastikas on the church’s facade. On Wednesday, Bluer entered a guilty plea to one count of causing damage to holy property.

Bluer acknowledged defacing the church because it has a Black pastor and a largely Black congregation, according to court filings.

“Racially motivated crimes have no place in our society,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who works in the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department. “Message crimes meant to instill fear and panic in communities are known as hate crimes. The Justice Department’s own message through this case is that we will use all available resources to investigate and bring charges against those responsible for these horrific attacks, as well as to safeguard communities from hate-fueled violence.”

Additionally, Bluer is charged with spray-painting swastikas, a racist epithet, and other graffiti on a public restroom at Warren’s Trombly Park in October 2021. He acknowledged that he was inspired to carry out the offenses “because of the race and color of Black people who used the park, and because Black people were and had been enjoying the park,” according to a news release issued in March.

The FBI’s unwavering dedication to resolving civil rights violations and holding people accountable for hate crimes is demonstrated by David Bluer’s guilty plea to a hate crime for defacing a church that is predominately Black. The FBI’s commitment to protecting faith-based communities in Michigan is demonstrated by this targeted criminal act and Mr. Bluer’s admission of harboring racial and ethnic prejudice, said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan.

The sentencing date for Bluer is March 19, 2025. He might spend up to a year behind bars.

Joe Buczek works for CBS Detroit as the manager of digital content and promotion. The Leader and the Kalkaskian, the Oakland Press, the Morning Sun, the Grand Traverse Insider, and WWTV were among his prior employers.

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