Prosecutors: Cemetery Worker Used Veterans' Headstones As Flooring
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (CBS/AP) — Federal prosecutors say an employee of the Rhode Island Veterans' Cemetery has agreed to plead guilty to the theft of granite grave markers and other cemetery items.
As part of his plea agreement filed in federal court, Kevin Maynard will plead guilty to one count of theft of government property. Court filings indicate the government will recommend the 59-year-old Charlestown resident get one year of probation and serve 500 hours of community service.
Prosecutors said that during an April 23 visit to Maynard's home, investigators from the Veterans Administration and the Rhode Island State Police found at least 150 grave markers being used as flooring in a shed and two garages. The search also found other headstones and American flags believed to be cemetery property.
Maynard "bragged" to authorities about removing gravestones marked for destruction, according to WPRI. A federal search warrant affidavit stated that Maynard admitted to knowing that protocol calls for grinding up damaged headstones, in order protect veterans' dignity.
Maynard is to appear in federal court July 13.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
