Flashback - July 1989 - Slaty Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Vandalized & Repaired

29 tombstones disturbed in church cemetery
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer - July 18, 1989


SLATY CREEK - Twenty-nine tombstones were overturned and several were broken at a remote Ohio County cemetery Saturday night or Sunday morning, according to Kentucky State Police.

The Rev. Pete Leach said most of the members of the congregation didn't learn of the vandalism at the church's cemetery until Sunday night services.

"I think the first response was that it was unbelievable that somebody would do something like this," Leach said.

State police in Henderson received a report Sunday that the cemetery off Kentucky 269, 10 miles south of Beaver Dam, had been disturbed. Police believe the vandalism occurred between 5 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday.

No arrests have been made for the crime, which is a felony in Kentucky.

Leach, the church's pastor for 14 years, said this is the first time anyone has damaged the rural church or cemetery .

"When the shock wears off, you have a tendency to get angry, and you wonder what kind of sick person would do this," Leach said.

"I would suspect the ones who did this would have to be kids, but I don't know," Ohio County Sheriff Jim Wheeler said.

Leach said Slaty Creek cemetery is a community cemetery, but the church pays for its upkeep.

"I think this puts a little bit of fear in the community that someone would do this," Leach said. "No one knows for sure where these people were from." Many of the graves in the small cemetery date back more than 100 years.

Among those stones knocked over and broken was an obelisk-shaped marker on the grave of the Rev. Alfred Taylor, who died in 1865. Another disturbed tombstone marked the grave of Emery C. Cohron, who died in France during World War I in 1918 and was buried in the cemetery in 1921.

The cemetery is a short distance from the church and sits on a hill near a gravel road.

Leach said the church trustees will check to see whether insurance will cover the damage. If it doesn't, "the community will pull together" to correct things, he said.


Repair of tombstones 'eased a lot of sorrow'
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer - July 25, 1989


After 29 tombstones were overturned and broken two weeks ago at Slaty Creek Baptist Church cemetery in Ohio County, prayers were answered, the Rev.

Pete Leach said.

A Beaver Dam funeral home and a Bowling Green monument company repaired markers and reset them on the graves for free, Leach said.

"This has eased a lot of heartaches, sorrow and grief, and I guess restored our faith in mankind," he said.

Sheriff Jim Wheeler said he has leads in the case and is close to making arrests. He believes those responsible are juveniles.

Members of the Slaty Creek church and the community were stunned after about a fourth of the tombstones in the graveyard were vandalized July 15.

The cemetery is off Kentucky 269, 10 miles south of Beaver Dam.

"One fellow came by the cemetery and said, 'This is pretty bad when the dead can't even rest in peace,'" Leach said.

But the generosity of William L. Danks Funeral Home and Fred Keith Monument Co. has gone a long way toward making people forget, Leach said.

"There's more talk about this good deed than there is about the vandalism," he said.

After the vandalism, church trustees were quoted an estimate of $2,900 to repair the tombstones, Leach said. Insurance wouldn't pay for the damage because each marker is individually owned, he said.

The church owns the land for the public cemetery , but a separate cemetery fund pays for the upkeep.

"We realized at that point we would have to do something about it ourselves," and the congregation planned a work day at the cemetery Saturday, Leach said.

But Wednesday night after church, Danks called Leach and asked whether he and Keith could help. Danks' son, Jeff, represents Keith in Ohio County.

After getting the go-ahead, workers from Keith Monuments arrived Thursday with equipment and repaired the tombstones.

"I don't guess words are adequate to thank Mr. Keith and Mr. Danks," Leach said. "Those people will forever remain in the hearts of the people of Slaty Creek." Danks said Monday that he, his son and Keith just wanted to help correct a bad situation.

"That was a bad thing to do, turn over memorials," Danks said. "They are very expensive and are easily broken.

"It doesn't take a very high IQ to do something like that," he said.

"Hopefully, when those responsible are caught they'll get a lesson out of it where they won't do it again."


Additional information for Slaty Creek Baptist Church Cemetery:
Find-a-Grave: Slaty Creek Baptist Church Cemetery (Ohio County, KY)
Satellite Views: Slaty Creek Cemetery

A Brief History of Madison County's Richmond Cemetery

The early history of Richmond Cemetery - Madison's Heritage
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Register Columnist Fred Engle ~ The Richmond Register ~ 10/19/2010


RICHMOND — This article is taken from the Richmond Climax, dated May 22, 1889, as supplied by Jasper Castle.

“The Richmond cemetery goes back to about 1848, when Senator John Speed Smith obtained a charter incorporating the cemetery. Nothing more was done for a time, but in 1849 cholera swept away many people and caused renewed interest in the subject. In 1852, the charter was amended, allowing a vote for a tax of $1,000 upon the people of Richmond, to be taken. The election was held, the proposition carried and finally all the money was collected.

In 1856, the trustees, composed of William Rodes, T.J. Gordon, William Holloway, Wm. H. Caperton, Daniel Beck, James B. Walker and Curtis F. Burnam, bought 18 acres of land from Joel Walker at $100 per acre. It was part of the Col. Humphrey Jones tract. In about 1885-6, another 10 acres was bought for $500 an acre from the same Walker-Jones tract.

The cemetery was dedicated on the 31st day of May, 1856. (The) Rev. E. Forman opened the services with prayer and Hon. Curtis F. Burnam delivered the address. Mrs. Jane Todd Breck, wife of Judge Daniel Breck, was buried on the day of the dedication.”

In 1889, it was the most beautiful and costliest cemetery in Kentucky, save those of Lexington, Frankfort and Louisville. Costliest meant there were numerous monuments that cost at least $3,000 in this cemetery.

In 1889, more than $200,000 had been spent on monumental work alone. It has some of the most impressive monuments to honor the citizens buried there.

Upon entering the grounds, the visitor is confronted by a sentinel with a gun in hand, Captain James Estill, the pioneer hero of Little Mountain. Today, this monument badly needs restoration work.

Today’s Richmond Cemetery Board does a fine job in maintaining the grounds and I am sure all the people of our community join me in thanking them for their hard work and dedication to this concrete and evocative part of Madison’s heritage. Jasper Castle’s family and a number of the members of the Engle family are buried there. Unfortunately, vandals recently damaged a number of monuments in the oldest part of the cemetery.

Thanks to Jasper Castle for his historical detective work.


Additional information on Richmond Cemetery:

Find-a-Grave: Richmond Cemetery (Madison County, KY) (Interment records)
Richmond Cemetery Location & Plot Map (Garrison-Logan Family History Site)

Trial Set for Richmond Cemetery Vandals

Trial set for alleged cemetery vandals
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Emily Burton ~ The Richmond Register ~ 10/17/2010


Three people accuse of violating more than 150 graves at Richmond Cemetery are headed to trial.

Joseph Dewayne Combs, 25, William Damien Gross, 19, and Sara Elizabeth Smart, 20, are accused of damaging more than 150 grave markers at the cemetery on April 3. The stones were dated from the 1850s to the early 20th century.

The trio was indicted on the charges in September, and have appeared in circuit court several times for pretrial conferences, which have been continued.

On Thursday, Clouse set a trial date for all three of March 14, 2011. The trial is expected to take two days.

The case is being prosecuted by the Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Larson, because Thomas Smith, assistant Madison Commonwealth’s attorney, recused himself as prosecutor from the case in July because he also serves as chairman of the Richmond Cemetery Board.

Combs, Gross and Smart all are charged with one count each of violating graves, a Class D felony; second-degree criminal trespass, a Class B misdemeanor; and first-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony.

In addition, Combs faces a charge of second-degree persistent felony offender, which could escalate the violating graves charge into a class C felony. This means he could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Should Gross and Smart be convicted, they could each be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

Prosecutors from the Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorneys office said in September they would not be offering a plea agreement to any of the three.

Emily Burton may be reached at eburton@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694. Follow Emily on Twitter at RR_EBurton@twitter.com.

Vandalous Thieves Take Veterans' Grave Markers from Grayson County's Vol Layman and Frank-Embry Cemeteries

Vandalism painful for community
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Theresa Armstrong ~ Grayson County News Gazette ~ 10/13/2010

Vandals that desecrated the graves of three World War II Veterans and a Korean War Veteran in Grayson County have stolen the special grave markers provided by the Veterans Administration.

Terry Mudd, overseer of the Vol Layman Cemetery in Millwood, arrived at the cemetery on Saturday morning to do some cleanup work and discovered three separate graves where vandals have destroyed the cement that held the bronze grave markers provided to each war veteran.

Mudd reported the crime to Sheriff Rick Clemons and notified the family members of the veterans of the missing grave markers.

Aileen Stewart, widow to one of the WWII Veterans whose grave marker was stolen, came to the cemetery with her son Carl Stewart JR. and viewed the damage first hand.

Her husband had fought in the war and she told stories of the time he spent defending his country.

“He fought for the freedom that these people are enjoying today and look what they have done," said Stewart. "Once he spent three months in a fox-hole and when he was finally able to take off his boots his skin peeled off with the boot."

As Stewart looked at the broken concrete of her husband's grave marker tears filled her eyes.

"Who would do such an awful thing as this," said Stewart. "I have never seen anything like this before."

A fourth grave was discovered Sunday when family members went to pay their respect at the Frank-Embry cemetery. The marker had the name PFC Cleveland Lacefield who fought in the Korean War. The marker, like the other three, was a bronze plate that was anchored in a cement base. The anchors were cut off and the bronze plate was removed.

Lacefield's brother reported that he had noticed a white Ford car, silver mid-sized truck and a dark red Ford small SUV at the graveyard in the past few days. On two separate occasions he chased off the red SUV and the white car.

"These vehicles may or may not have anything to do with the thefts but people should watch out for them at cemeteries," said Deputy Sheriff Jeff Kelsey." I believe the suspects might attempt to take another marker because of the location of cemetery."

Wendy Saltsman, of Top Dollar Recyclers, said the markers really have little value. A reputable recycler will not even accept such an item.

"If someone brought something like this in we would not even buy it and would contact the police," said Saltsman. "This is not really something you can get rid of very easily."

Clemons has vowed to do everything he could to find the person or people who did this and went as far as offering a $500 reward of his own money for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved with the vandalism.

"This is the worst crime I have seen since I have been in office. I cannot believe that someone would do something like this. These Veterans fought for our country,” said Clemons. "I will do everything in my power to find out who did this."

The officers at the American Legion Post 81 were notified of the damaged graves and immediately took action to see that the graves markers were replaced.

"We will make sure these veterans are honored," said American Legion Post 81 Commander Jim Lish. "We will replace the cement and the markers and restore the graves back to the way they were."

Theresa Armstrong can be reached at tarmstrong@gcnewsgazette.com.

Pretrial Set, New Charge Filed Against Richmond Cemetery Vandals

Three Indicted for Cemetery Vandalism
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Ronica Shannon ~ The Richmond Register ~ 9/17/2010


RICHMOND — Three people charged with vandalizing Richmond Cemetery in April were indicted Wednesday on an additional charge of first-degree criminal mischief.

Joseph Dewayne Combs, 25, William Damien Gross, 19, and Sara Elizabeth Smart, 20, appeared Thursday in Madison Circuit Court where they pleaded not guilty to the charge, and a pretrial conference for a previous charge of violating graves was continued.

Judge William G. Clouse agreed to proceed with an arraignment Thursday for the three at the request of their attorneys. This will allow the pretrial conference, scheduled for Oct. 14, to include both charges.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Thomas Smith recused himself as prosecutor in the case in July because he also serves as chairman of the Richmond Cemetery Board. A special prosecutor from the Fayette County commonwealth’s attorney’s office was appointed to try the case, and said Thursday that plea agreements would not be given to the three.

The group’s first indictment came in July for one count each of violating graves and second-degree criminal trespassing.

Richmond police allege that the three damaged more than 150 grave markers, some dating back to before the Civil War, during an April 3 incident.

Alcohol was suspected as a factor in the incident after police found a whisky bottle in the cemetery the morning after the markers were damaged.

Smith said the damaged markers dated from the 1850s to the early 20th century. Many of the markers were chipped or cracked, while some crumbled after being knocked down.

Violating graves is a Class D felony, while second-degree criminal trespass is a Class B misdemeanor. If convicted, they could serve up to five years in prison.

Combs also faces a second-degree persistent felony offender charge that would escalate the violating graves charge to a Class C felony, meaning that he could serve up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Richmond Cemetery Vandalism Trio Indicted

Three Indicted for Cemetery Vandalism
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Brian Smith ~ The Richmond Register ~ 7/23/2010


RICHMOND — Three people accused of causing more than $40,000 in damage to grave markers at the Richmond Cemetery were indicted by a grand jury Wednesday.

Joseph Dewayne Combs, 25, of Altamont Street, William Damien Gross, 19, of Keri Ann Drive, and Sara Elizabeth Smart, 20, of Waco, were indicted on one count each of violating graves and second-degree criminal trespass.

Richmond police allege that the three damaged more than 150 grave markers, some dating back to before the Civil War, during an April 3 incident.

Alcohol was suspected as a factor in the incident after police found a whiskey bottle in the cemetery the morning after the markers were damaged.

During a June preliminary hearing for Smart in Madison District Court, Richmond detective Matt Boyle testified that all three suspects had admitted they were drinking at the Cherry Pit and then went to the cemetery to continue drinking.

Boyle said Gross and Combs claimed all three had participated in the destruction of the markers, while Smart denied participating in knocking over the headstones.

Assistant Common-wealth’s Attorney Thomas Smith also is the Richmond Cemetery Board chairman, so a special prosecutor from the Fayette County commonwealth’s attorney’s office has been appointed to try the case.

Smith said the damaged markers dated from the 1850s to the early 20th century. Many of the markers were chipped or cracked, while some crumbled after being knocked down.

Violating graves is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison if convicted, while second-degree criminal trespass is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail.

Combs also faces a second-degree persistent felony offender charge that would escalate the violating graves charge to a Class C felony punishable by five to 10 years in prison if convicted.

The case has been assigned to Judge William G. Clouse, according to court records, but an arraignment date has not been set.

An indictment is a formal statement of charges and does not imply guilt.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694. For breaking news, follow Brian at www.twitter.com/RR_BSmith.

Bond Increased for Richmond Cemetery Vandalism Suspect

Increase in bond for cemetery vandalism suspect
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Brian Smith ~ The Richmond Register ~ 7/1/2010


RICHMOND — The bond for a woman accused in vandalism at Richmond Cemetery was increased Wednesday after she was accused of violating the terms of her release.

Sara Smart, 20, was charged June 21 with violating the terms of her bond and appeared in Madison District Court on Wednesday to answer the charge.

Charges of violating graves and second-degree criminal mischief against Smart and two other individuals are pending before a grand jury.

The three are accused of knocking over more than 150 grave markers in the cemetery during an April incident.

Smart had been free on a partially secured $10,000 bond since May 19.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss the misdemeanor charge of violating the conditions of Smart’s release, and Judge Brandy O. Brown raised Smart’s bond to $10,000 cash.

3rd Richmond Cemetery Vandalism Suspect in Court

Third suspect in cemetery vandalism in court
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Brian Smith ~ The Richmond Register ~ 6/3/2010


RICHMOND — The third person charged in connection with the destruction of approximately 150 grave markers in the Richmond Cemetery also will face a grand jury.

Sara Elizabeth Smart, 20, of Waco, saw charges of violating graves and second-degree criminal trespass sent to a grand jury following a preliminary hearing in Madison District Court.

Smart is charged along with two other people, 25-year-old Joseph Dewayne Combs, of Altamont Street, and William Damien Gross, 19, of Keri Ann Drive, in connection with the April 3 incident.

Combs and Gross waived their rights to a preliminary hearing May 19.

Detective Matt Boyle of the Richmond Police Department testified Wednesday about how Smart became a suspect in his investigation.

Boyle said all three suspects admitted that after a night of drinking at the Cherry Pit, they went to the cemetery to continue drinking.

Gross and Combs both claimed that all three were involved in the destruction of the grave markers, some of which dated back to before the Civil War.

Boyle told Smart’s attorney, Jimmy Dale Williams, that in a May 12 interview at the Jackson County Detention Center, Smart had told a similar story but said Combs and Gross were responsible for the destruction.

Smart was lodged in Jackson County on unrelated charges when Richmond police located her, Chief Larry Brock said last month after her arrest.

Madison District Judge Brandy O. Brown found probable cause following the hearing to send the case on to a grand jury for possible indictment.

Smart remains free on a partially secured $10,000 bond.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694. For breaking news, follow Brian at www.twitter.com/RR_BSmith.

Grand Jury to Hear Richmond Cemetery Vandalism Case

Grand Jury to hear cemetery vandalism case
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Brian Smith ~ The Richmond Register ~ 5/21/2010


RICHMOND - Two men charged with violating graves in connection with a vandalism spree at the Richmond Cemetery that caused more than $40,000 in damage waived preliminary hearings Wednesday in Madison District Court.

Joseph Dewayne Combs, 25, of Altamont Street, and William Damien Gross, 19, of Keri Ann Drive, both appeared before Madison District Judge Charles Hardin on Wednesday.

The men are accused of participating in the destruction of approximately 150 grave markers and headstones at the cemetery some time on the evening of April 2 or the morning of April 3, Richmond police said.

A third person, 20-year-old Sara Elizabeth Smart of Waco, is scheduled to appear in Madison District Court on Wednesday on the same charges in connection with the incident.

Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock said Thursday that Smart was arrested in Jackson County on unrelated charges last week.

Brock said the Jackson County authorities did not realize Smart was being sought in connection to the cemetery incident until after she was arrested.

Some of the damaged headstones dated back to before the Civil War. A few of the stones shattered after being knocked over, while others were chipped or cracked, cemetery officials said.

An empty whiskey bottle was found in the cemetery the day after the incident, Brock said, and police believe alcohol may have been a factor in the incident.

Combs was arrested May 7 after an interview with investigators at police headquarters, Brock said, and Gross was taken into custody May 10.

Each man faces a single count of violating graves, a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison if convicted, and a misdemeanor second-degree criminal trespass charge.

The charges will now go before a grand jury for possible indictment.

Hardin did grant a motion to amend Gross’ bond from a $2,500 full cash bond to 10 percent of a $10,000 bond. If Gross posts the $1,000 to gain his release, he will be required to remain in contact with court officials as part of a monitored release program.

Combs’ bond remains set at $2,500 cash.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694. For breaking news, follow Brian at www.twitter.com/RR_BSmith.

2 Charged, 3rd Sought in April Vandalism of Richmond Cemetery

Two men charged in cemetery vandalism - Third suspect sought by Richmond police
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Bill Robinson ~ The Richmond Register ~ 5/12/2010


RICHMOND — Richmond Police have made two arrests and are seeking a third suspect in connection with vandalism that occurred April 2-3 at the Richmond Cemetery.

About 150 monuments and grave markers, dating from the 1850s to the early 20th century, were overturned. Many suffered damage, with some being chipped, cracked or fragmented. A few crumbled when they fell to the ground. Total damage was estimated at more than $40,000, according to Thomas J. Smith III, cemetery board chair.

Joseph Dewayne Combs, 25, of Altamont Street was arrested Friday, and William Damien Gross, 19, of Keri Ann Drive was arrested Monday, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.

They have been charged with violating graves, a Class-D felony, and second-degree criminal trespass, a Class-A misdemeanor. Both are lodged in the Madison County Detention Center, where they remained Tuesday, each on a $2,500 cash bond. A hold order from circuit court could prevent Combs’ release, even if he can post bond, a detention center officer said.

Police also are seeking Sara Elizabeth Smart, 20, of Waco and have a warrant for her arrest.

Late last week, investigators “developed information indicating that three persons were responsible for the damage,” Brock said.

Combs was arrested on Friday after an interview at police headquarters, the chief said. A warrant was obtained for Gross, and he was arrested Monday.

If convicted, the suspects could face one to five years in prison on the felony charge and up to a year in jail on the misdemeanor charge.

After the incident, the cemetery board announced a $1,000 reward leading to the conviction of the perpetrators. Brock said information provided by a confidential informant helped lead to the arrests, but was unsure if anyone was interested in the reward.

Some or all of the suspects had been drinking prior to the incident, the chief said, and a whisky bottle found in the cemetery the next day may link to the offense.

Smith said the cemetery board appreciates the “hard work that our police put into this investigation that has resulted in two arrests.” The board will be happy to pay the reward if an informant’s information leads to a conviction in the case, he said.

Eastern Kentucky University has completed repairs of the cemetery’s back fence that borders its property. Estimates also have been obtained for putting a new, higher fence along the cemetery’s west side off Baker Court, Smith said.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.

(A Lex18 news station article on this piece includes video of the damage and suspects.)

Vandals Attack Historic Richmond Cemetery

Vandals Cut Path of Destruction Across Richmond Cemetery
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Bill Robinson ~ The Richmond Register ~ 4/6/2010

Mike Rice, Richmond Cemetery's Grounds Director, looks at Victorian-era tombstone destroyed by vandals. (Photo: Bill Robinson)

RICHMOND - During the darkness Friday night or Saturday morning, vandals wreaked a path of destruction from one side of the Richmond Cemetery to the other.

About 140 markers and monuments, one more than 160 years old, were toppled. Some were broken. A few were shattered.

The trail of wreckage was reminiscent of the path a tornado cut across Madison County almost 11 months ago.

Monuments dating to the Victorian Age when soft granite material and fragile ornamentation were popular suffered greater damage than more sturdy monuments of recent times, said Mike Rice, the cemetery’s director of grounds.

Relatives arriving Saturday morning to decorate loved ones graves for Easter discovered the damage, Rice said.

The vandalism was the work of at least two to four men, Rice believes, because most of the monuments were too sturdy and heavy to be pushed over by one man, he said.

Because most of the wrecked markers were more than 110 years old, the vandalism was a crime against the county’s history as well as against the dead whose graves were disturbed, said Thomas J. Smith III, chair of the cemetery trustees.

The Richmond Police collected evidence connected to the damage, including two half-empty whiskey bottles, and continue to investigate, Smith said.

The cemetery board is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of anyone involved with the vandalism, Smith said.

Vandals last struck the historic cemetery on Halloween around three years ago when about 40 head stones were toppled, he said. This weekend’s damage was more severe and widespread, however.

The severity was reminiscent of damage that occurred when large trees felled by the 2009 ice storm crashed into some historic markers.

Securing an area as large as the Richmond Cemetery is difficult, Smith said, but it would be easier if Eastern Kentucky University would fulfill its part of a bargain made more than one year ago to replace the fence on the property’s south side.

The cemetery agreed to lease a narrow strip of land that borders EKU’s property in exchange for the university’s promise to replace the fence that contains holes "big enough to drive a truck through," Smith said. However, the promise has not been kept, despite repeated prodding from the cemetery, he said.

Another vulnerable area on the cemetery’s perimeter is the fence south of its Summit Street entrance, Smith said.

Although the fence along the cemetery’s western boundary is no more than four feet tall and could easily be jumped, Smith said he believes the Baker Court residences that back up to the boundary offer some measure of security.

"Vandals are less likely to go through somebody’s backyard and enter the cemetery illegally if they fear being seen by a resident of those homes," he said.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.

February 1988 - Grave Robbing at Indian Burial Ground Prompts Stiffer Penalties

Senate OK's Bill boosting penalty for grave looting - Excavation of Indian Burial Ground in Union prompted legislative action
Lexington Herald Leader ~ 2/12/1988

FRANKFORT -- A bill that would make it a felony for artifact hunters to dig up graves was passed yesterday by the Kentucky Senate.

The measure was prompted by the alleged looting of an Indian burial ground in Union County

The vote was 34-0 on Senate Bill 178, which would split the crime of desecration of venerated objects -- now a Class A misdemeanor -- into first- and second-degree offenses.

Intentional excavation or disinterment of human remains "for the purpose of commercial sale or exploitation" would be a first-degree offense, punishable by one to five years in prison.

More common acts, such as vandalism of tombstones, would remain a misdemeanor as a second-degree offense, punishable by up to one year in jail.

One reason for making grave-robbing a felony is that offenders cannot be extradited for a misdemeanor, said the bill's sponsor, Democrat John Hall of Henderson.

Ten people, including four from Indiana and Illinois, were indicted in connection with the alleged desecration of a 40-acre Indian burial site in Union County. About 450 holes and the remains of more than 1,000 bodies were discovered at the site in December.

Hall said there were "bones scattered all over the 40-acre burial site." Indians from across the nation plan a mass reburial around Memorial Day.