Sumter County Sheriff’s Office arrests 4 in church graffiti case

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Four people have been arrested in connection with the spray painting of satanic messages and symbols on Salem Black River Church in Mayesville on Sept. 29.

All four suspects cooperated and gave full confessions to their involvement, were arrested and were transported to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center. A bond hearing is scheduled for this afternoon.

Arrested were:

• Kayla Marie Eilerman, 18, of Ingleside, Texas;

• Clayre Marie Savage, 18, of Port Barre, Louisiana;

• Daveion Raaheim Green, 19, of Leeland, North Carolina; and

• Brandon Munoz, 20, of Baltimore.

They will be served with warrants for the following:

•  Trespassing (misdemeanor)

• Malicious injury to a house of worship (felony, 16-11-535)

• Criminal Conspiracy (felony)

After releasing the surveillance photos Thursday, Sumter County Sheriff's Office immediately got responses via phone and social media. Several tips came in from the community, including from Shaw Air Force Base personnel who released names of possible suspects.

At 1:47 p.m. Sept. 29, a church member checking on Salem Black River Church, 1060 N. Brick St., reported that he discovered the graffiti.

A front door to the sanctuary had been kicked in, but it did not appear that anyone gained entry. In addition to the sanctuary building, two other buildings on the property were also spray painted.

Damage is estimated at $3,000.                

Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said he appreciates all of the community response in trying to identify the suspects.

"We want to thank everyone for the tremendous response to requests to identify these individuals. It is apparent to us that Sumter County residents will not tolerate this kind of activity.

"We also recognize that this does not reflect the values of our Shaw Air Force Base neighbors and family," he said. "We appreciate the cooperation and information from Shaw officials that helped us quickly hold responsible the individuals responsible."