Teen ordered to pay cemetery $12K for headstone damage

NEW CASTLE – A New Castle teenager who admitted to damaging the headstones of several local pioneers was ordered on Monday to pay the Lewisville Cemetery Board $12,180 in restitution.

Jansen David Smith, 18, 2325 Plum St., in September had pleaded guilty to cemetery mischief, a Level 6 felony carrying a maximum 30-month prison term.

In Henry Circuit Court 3 on Monday, Judge Bob Witham imposed an 18-month jail term, which was suspended, and placed Smith on formal probation for 539 days.

Authorities allege Smith and co-defendant Gilbert Ray, also 18, of Springport, were involved in causing an estimated $20,000 damage to 27 headstones at Lewisville Cemetery on the night of July 30-31.

All of the damaged headstones were from the 19th century, according to state Rep. Tom Saunders, secretary-treasurer of the cemetery board.

One of the damaged stones marked the grave of the southeastern Henry County town's founder, Lewis Freeman.

A witness — one of several teens and young adults who went to the cemetery that night — blamed much of the damage on Smith, saying the New Castle teen "knocked over and kicked the larger headstones," and "drop-kicked some of them using both feet."

Deputy Prosecutor Michael Mahoney said Smith was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service, if possible in projects related to the cemetery.

Mahoney said Smith "accepted responsibility" for his actions at Monday's hearing.

Co-defendant Ray, who told police the headstones had already been damaged when he and his friends arrived at the cemetery, has entered a not-guilty plea. He is set to stand trial in Witham's court on Dec. 17.

Court records reflect no prior convictions for Smith.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. Follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.