Air Force service members arrested for painting Satanic symbols on historic church

Four Air Force service members have been arrested for spray-painting Satanic symbols on a historic rural church in South Carolina late last month.

Salem Black River Presbyterian Church, which dates back more than 250 years, was vandalized on Sept. 29 with satanic symbols and phrases painted on the white columns, sidewalks and doors of the church near Mayesville.

The door to the church's sanctuary was also kicked in, but it appears that none of the suspects entered. The damage to the church has been estimated at $3,000, according to Business Insider.

Shaw airmen 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 were arrested late Thursday, less than a day after deputies released surveillance photos of the incident.

The four suspects were reportedly charged with malicious injury to a place of worship, criminal conspiracy and trespassing.

"Several tips came in from the community, including from Shaw AFB personnel who gave us the names of possible suspects," Sumter County Sheriff's Office spokesman Ken Bell said in a statement Friday, as reported by Fox Carolina. "We began researching the names through various databases and social media," he added.

The officials at Shaw Air Force Base have issued a statement condemning the act. "The United States Air Force does not condone acts of vandalism," 1st Lt. Alannah Staver, 20th Fighter Wing chief of public affairs, said in a statement.

"Such behavior is not representative of the Airmen of Shaw AFB as a whole. We feel we are a part of this community, are proud to serve here, and we are disappointed to hear of this incident," Staver added.

The suspects were held on $15,000 bond each and have been prohibited from leaving the base between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. They could be imprisoned for a minimum of six months if convicted of the malicious injury charge. The airmen are expected to appear in court on Dec. 1.

On Friday, three more people were arrested for trespassing at Salem Black River Presbyterian Church. There was no new damage to the church, and the three suspects were eventually released after they were issued a summons.

The church, founded by Scotch-Irish settlers in 1759, was reportedly one of several houses of worship that were on a list kept by Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof as he planned the massacre he committed in 2015. He eventually went to Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, where he killed nine worshippers.