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Men accused of spray-painting swastikas, antisemitic phrases in Sterling Heights plead guilty
By Jenny Sherman at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
Two men facing charges for spray-painting swastikas and antisemitic phrases in multiple areas throughout Sterling Heights are scheduled to be sentenced next month after pleading guilty in a Macomb County court.Benjamin Parris, 19, of South Carolina, entered a guilty plea in May to two counts of m...
Key takeaway Benjamin Parris, 19, of South Carolina, entered a guilty plea in May to two counts of malicious destruction of property, and two counts of conspiracy to commit malicious destruction of property.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The guilty pleas of Benjamin Parris and Michael Walker bring a measure of closure to the Sterling Heights community, which was shaken by the discovery of swastikas and antisemitic phrases in multiple locations. The fact that these incidents occurred in various spots throughout the city, including near homes and businesses, raises concerns about the potential for hate crimes to spread and affect local residents. As Parris awaits sentencing and Walker begins his probation, community leaders and residents will be watching to see how the city responds to prevent similar incidents in the future. The training class on impulse control that Walker is required to attend as part of his plea agreement may be a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the underlying issues that led to these hate-filled acts. The city's response will be crucial in reassuring residents that Sterling Heights is committed to being a welcoming and inclusive community.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Two men facing charges for spray-painting swastikas and antisemitic phrases in multiple areas throughout Sterling Heights are scheduled to be sentenced next month after pleading guilty in a Macomb County court.Benjamin Parris, 19, of South Carolina, entered a guilty plea in May to two counts of m...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jenny Sherman at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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