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Michael Billups, 29, pleaded guilty this week to defacing religious property in connection to a hate crime committed earlier this year when he destroyed Pride and other symbolic flags at the Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church in Odenton.
The Anne Arundel State's Attorney's Office announced on Friday that Billups received a three-year suspended sentence with one year of supervised probation, during which he must complete an anti-bias education program, 48 hours of community service, and pay $230 in restitution for the damaged property.
Officials noted that prosecutors requested a jail sentence, but the court decided not to impose one.
Photos were released earlier this year by the police of vandals who targeted the Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church on Piney Orchard Parkway in Odenton earlier this week.
It is the same church where LGBTQ+ signage was stolen during a separate incident weeks earlier.
This instance was reported on May 19.
Officers say they witnessed Billups ripping and pulling out numerous Pride flags and hearts with the Pride logo from the property. He then ran down Piney Orchard Parkway toward the Odenton Baptist Church where his vehicle was parked.
A foot pursuit ensued, with Billups running while carrying the items he had stolen from the church grounds.
Billups then retreated to a small wooded area, but was tracked down by officers as he laid on the ground in a failed attempt to hide. The stolen hearts and flags were located nearby.
"(Billups) took it upon himself to destroy the signs and flags which the church displayed to promote their message of love and acceptance," State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said. "I am committed to prosecuting these crimes because hate-based incidents won't be tolerated in our community.
"I thank the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their continued effort in investigating all hate bias incidents and crimes."
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