Cops: Gravedigger says he wanted dad to go to heaven

STANFORD, Ky. -- A Kentucky man is reportedly in jail after deputies say he was caught trying to dig up his late father's grave so he could go to heaven.

44-year-old Michael May was arrested on Monday after a constable saw someone digging up a grave at Pilot Baptist Church in Stanford, about 40 miles south of Lexington, reports CBS affiliate WKYT.

WAVE reports that May was allegedly intoxicated and told arresting deputies he was trying to dig up the grave of his father, who died about 30 years ago.

Lincoln County Constable, Delbert Mitchell told WLEX he saw a truck parked outside the church and went to the cemetery to investigate.

"I went back and hollered for him to step back in the light and he told me to step back to the dark. That's when I went and got my flashlight. He started hollering out [Bible] verses at me," Mitchell told WLEX. "He told me he was trying to dig his dad up, so his dad could go to heaven."

WAVE reports a cemetery registry lists 13 people with the last name of May buried at the location -- Willis Green May died on Nov. 23, 1983 and Eugene May was the last person buried at the church in 2002.

It's not clear whether either is related to Michael May.

In a bizarre interview with WLEX, Mays said a Bible verse led him to dig up the grave and that his father "needs to be on the ground, not under it."

WKYT reports May was charged with violating graves, possession of marijuana and public intoxication.