Teen Sentenced for Painting Satanic Symbols on Church

A San Gabriel teen-ager convicted of spray-painting satanic symbols on a Glendale church was sentenced Tuesday to 180 days in jail and three years probation.

Philip Michael Dunigan, 18, was also ordered to pay $327 in restitution to cover the cost of repainting the church, and perform 50 hours of community service, said Los Angeles Deputy Dist. Atty. Ellen Aragon.

Dunigan, described by prosecutors as a fan of heavy metal rock music, was originally charged with three felony counts--vandalism to a church, vandalism to a church with the intention of preventing the practicing of religion and a hate crime with property damage.

Dunigan came to court on May 15 carrying a Bible after making a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to one count of vandalism to a church.

“He seemed chagrined and remorseful when we took the plea,” Aragon said. “He was given a stern lecture from the judge and was very respectful.”

Aragon said Dunigan was also ordered to stay away from the church and was barred from carrying any type of paint.

Along with three other youths, Dunigan was arrested in March for the Feb. 26 desecration of the First United Methodist Church on North Kenwood Avenue.

The youths were arrested for defacing the site with 29 spray-painted anti-Christian symbols and slogans, many in Latin.