Last week, C-VILLE reported on neighborhood anger about graveyard vandalism at Maplewood Cemetery. “The city, as far as I can see, really doesn’t have any ownership of the cemetery,” said resident Anthony Smith after a March incident in which several grave markers were knocked over and a headstone was graffitied. He contacted city police Chief Tim Longo, who told C-VILLE that the police had opened a “problem-solving project” to deal with the issue.
 Earl Junior McCraw, Michael Francis Mills and Dawn Christine Johnson were nabbed by city police in the Maplewood Cemetery. Mills was charged with felony counts of destruction of property. |
It appears the police have done the job—with Smith’s help. On April 12, police arrested three individuals around 9pm after Smith and another citizen reported sounds of yelling and banging on headstones. Seven gravestones were vandalized, according to police. Earl Junior McCraw, 24, and Dawn Christine Johnson, 30, were held until they were sober. Michael Francis Mills, 23, is being charged with felony counts of destruction of property. Police are still investigating the March incident.
Additional reporting by Scott Weaver
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