Man who vandalized Jesus statue sentenced
Posted/updated on: December 21, 2025 at 8:22 am
SMITH COUNTY — The man who vandalized a marble statue of Jesus at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Flint was sentenced Thursday to one year in state jail. Jordan Grey Clark, 36, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief at a place of worship in connection with the Sept. 7 vandalism. The statue, located outside of the church, was found with its nose and hands shattered. Deputies discovered the damage around 8:45 a.m. on Sept. 7. Surveillance footage later showed a suspect approaching the statue around 1:14 a.m. and using a hammer to break parts of the face and hands before walking south toward County Road 1299. Investigators noted the suspect was wearing gloves, which prevented them from lifting fingerprints from the statue or nearby objects.
According to our news partner KETK, an anonymous tip received days later led detectives to Clark, who lived nearby and was reportedly “acting strangely,” according to investigators. Authorities then contacted Clark’s father, who told deputies his son has schizophrenia and refuses to take medication because he believes it makes him feel uncomfortable. The father also said Clark does not own a vehicle or a smartphone, believing smartphones are possessed, and instead uses a flip phone.
After reviewing the surveillance video, Clark’s father identified the suspect as his son based on his walk and mannerisms. He told investigators he was “not surprised” by the incident, stating that Clark had denounced Christianity several years ago and had become devout in Satanic beliefs, practicing witchcraft.
Detectives later searched a shed behind Clark’s residence, where they found a hammer with a white, glittery powder on its head and work gloves believed to have been used in the vandalism. Investigators also reported finding animal body parts nailed to posts and burned, which they believed were part of a ritual.
Clark was arrested on Sept. 11 and remained in the Smith County Jail on a $400,000 bond.
On Thursday, Clark was sentenced to one year in state jail for the vandalism.
