One defendant pleads guilty as charged, property defacement case continues against second defendant

Mount Clemens, MI – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that 19-year-old Benjamin Parris, of Greenville, SC, pled guilty as charged and 19-year-old Michael Walker, of Nampa, ID, waived his right to a Preliminary Exam on charges stemming from graffiti incidents in Sterling Heights, MI.

On June 1, 2026, Parris pleaded guilty as charged to two counts of Malicious Destruction of Property - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Malicious Destruction of Property - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 before Judge Jennifer M. Faunce in the Macomb County Circuit Court. He is set to be sentenced by Judge Faunce on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. 

On Friday, June 5, 2026, Walker waived his right to a Preliminary Exam before visiting Judge Denis Leduc in the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights. Walker is scheduled to be arraigned before Judge Faunce on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Walker is charged with the following:

• Four counts – Malicious Destruction of Property - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000
• Two  counts – Conspiracy to Commit Malicious Destruction of Property - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000
• One count - Weapons – Carrying Concealed. 

Each charge is a five-year felony.

“I am pleased that this matter is moving toward a resolution and finality. My office is committed to holding accountable those accused of engaging in unlawful conduct and will continue working to safeguard the residents and communities of Macomb County,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.

The charges against Parris and Walker stemmed from an April 2026, incident in which Sterling Heights Police responded to reports of individuals spray-painting property near the Van Dyke Expressway and Canal Road. The investigation alleged that multiple locations, including a fence, roadway infrastructure, and nearby commercial properties, were defaced with swastikas, antisemitic messages, and other graffiti. 

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office represents the People. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All individuals who are accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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