Cemetery employee steals hundreds of servicemembers’ headstones
He used them to build floors in his carports
July 16, 2015
Cemetery employee steals hundreds of servicemembers’ headstones
(U.S. District Court Image)
By Military1 Staff
CHARLESTOWN, R.I. — A veterans cemetery employee stole more than 150 servicemembers headstones to use as flooring in his carport, The Washington Post reported.
Once damaged, headstones of fallen servicemembers are supposed to be hauled away and honorably destroyed before the Department of Veterans Affairs replaces them, according to the publication.
Investigators found grave markers, still featuring inscriptions, serving as the foundation of employee Kevin Maynard’s two carports. Many headstones were also scattered throughout the property, according to a federal affidavit obtained by the news company.
Maynard, 59, is suspected of stealing headstones since 2009. It is believed by authorities he took only several at a time to avoid suspicion. He told investigators his job was to drive the old headstones to a facility where they would be destroyed.
Two of Maynard’s coworkers turned him in to Rhode Island State Police after he bragged about stealing the gravestones. One coworker claimed to have visited Maynard’s home and had seen the gravestones.
Maynard was arraigned July 13 in U.S. District Court. He is charged with one count theft of government property under a plea agreement that will allow him to serve one year’s probation and 500 hours of community service, according to the official documents the publication obtained.
http://www.military1.com/army/article/774758014-cemetery-employee-steals-hundreds-of-servicemembers-headstones
