David Merryman, a landlord notorious for the deplorable conditions of his properties and years of racial harassment toward Black tenants, was sentenced to 17 years in prison on Dec. 18. The sentencing, delivered by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson, capped a yearslong investigation into Merryman’s fraudulent schemes and abusive conduct. The judge described his actions as “heinous,” highlighting how Merryman exploited low-income tenants in Newport News and Hampton, Virginia, many of whom had few housing options.

Merryman, 59, owned more than 60 rental properties, many plagued by rodent infestations, rotting floors, and broken plumbing. Investigators revealed that he deliberately targeted Black tenants with limited resources, enticing them with promises of long-term leases only to subject them to racial slurs, threats, and even physical violence. Witnesses recounted chilling incidents, including Merryman blaming a clogged sink on a tenant’s hair extensions and telling another tenant to “clean the house like you were slaves.” In one especially cruel remark, he told a tenant her stillborn child was “karma for not paying rent.”

The scope of Merryman’s fraud extended beyond the mistreatment of tenants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he falsified tenant signatures and misused their personal information to file fraudulent rent relief applications. Merryman pocketed significant sums from these benefits while attempting to evict tenants for unpaid rent—many of whom were unaware he had collected relief funds on their behalf. His fraudulent actions led to convictions for wire fraud, identity theft, and racial discrimination.

Former tenants and city officials painted a damning picture of Merryman’s conduct during the three-hour sentencing hearing. Yugonda Sample-Jones, one of his former tenants, described him as “manipulative” and “abusive,” while Newport News Director of Codes Compliance Harold Lee Roach Jr. called him “the worst landlord I’ve experienced in 25 years.” Merryman, who apologized during the hearing, claimed he was “truly humbled” by the impact of his actions, though prosecutors and victims expressed skepticism about his remorse.

In addition to his prison term, Merryman will serve two concurrent years for racial discrimination charges. His sentencing, exceeding prosecutors’ original recommendation of 14 years, reflects the gravity of his crimes and the systemic harm inflicted on vulnerable communities. As Judge Jackson noted, Merryman’s actions not only violated laws but also exploited the desperation of tenants “who had nothing.”