The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department has arrested two individuals following an extensive investigation into the disappearance of grave markers and historical site markers reported missing over the past month. These markers were taken from multiple rural and city cemeteries across Franklin County, with additional reports of missing markers in Butler and Cerro Gordo Counties.
Search warrants were executed Friday afternoon by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department at #9 4th Avenue Northwest in Hampton with the assistance of the Hampton Police Department, and by the Butler County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the Franklin Sheriff at 720 Pine Street in Dumont.
44-year-old Brandon S. Smith of Hampton was charged with first degree theft, first degree criminal mischief, and for fourth degree theft. 34-year-old Lauren A. Johnson of Dumont was charged with first degree theft.
Two additional suspects have been identified, with charges pending related to this series of crimes.
