Source: Office of United States Attorneys
DETROIT – David Bluer, 33, of Warren, Michigan, was charged today in connection with spray-painting swastikas and other graffiti on a church in Roseville, Michigan, and with spray-painting similarly racist graffiti on a public park bathroom in Warren.
According to the charging documents, in October 2021, Bluer spray-painted swastikas, the word “die” and other graffiti on the Roseville church, because of the race and color of individuals associated with the church. As specified in the charging documents, the Roseville church has a Black pastor and serves a predominantly Black congregation. In addition, Bluer spray-painted swastikas, a racist slur and symbols and other graffiti on the public bathroom of Trombly Park, in Warren. The racist graffiti included the statement “DaviD KiLLS Ni**ERS.” Allegedly, Bluer acted because of the race and color of Black people who used the park, and because Black people were and had been enjoying the park.
Bluer was charged with one count of damaging a religious property and one count of interfering with federally protected activities. Bluer faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison for each misdemeanor charge.
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Dawn N. Ison, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Detroit Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Detroit Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Carlson for the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Erin Monju of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law