The Leflore County Sheriff’s Department is continuing its investigation into the dumping of nine grave markers on Central Avenue.
The markers were dumped in a vacant lot sometime Tuesday afternoon, according to Leflore County Sheriff Ricky Banks.
“We’re trying to find out, first, who dumped them off. Second, we’re trying to find out where they came from,” Banks said.
The markers are now behind the Sheriff’s Department.
The dumping of the markers is not just illegal; it is a violation of state law to desecrate a cemetery by damaging or removing grave markers.
The maximum penalty for such a crime is up one year in a county jail and a fine of $500.
In addition to the jail and monetary fine, Code Section 97-29-25 states, that a court may imposed any restitution “as it deems appropriate” on the defendant or defendants.
Banks added that the value of the markers themselves may exceed $1,000, making removing them a felony offense.
The sheriff said in addition to the markers, the vacant lot contained numerous bricks and concrete blocks. The dumping of such items is illegal in the county.
Those with any information on where the grave markers came from are asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 453-5141.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
