A Warren man who spray painted racist remarks on predominantly Black churches in Roseville was ordered Wednesday to serve one year in federal prison, according to authorities.

David Bluer, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith after pleading guilty one count of damaging religious property last December for painting several swastikas, the word “die,” and other graffiti on the exterior of Greater New Life Church on Blair Street, near Masonic Boulevard and Gratiot Avenue, in October 2021. U.S. Attorneys said in a news release.

Bluer said he committed the hate crime because of the race and color of individuals associated with the church, including a mostly Black congregation and a Black pastor, officials said.

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,” officials said.

“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.

Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan, said, “the hate-driven criminal acts committed by Mr. Bluer were halted through the relentless investigative efforts of members from the FBI Detroit’s Joint Terrorism Task Force” along with the Roseville and Warren police departments and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Carlson and Trial Attorney Erin Monju of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case, officials said.