Three individuals allegedly involved in the disappearance of grave markers and historical site markers have entered written not guilty pleas to the charges filed against them in Franklin County District Court.
43-year-old Brandon Smith of Hampton, 33-year-old Lauren Johnson of Dumont, and 31-year-old Rachel Card of Hampton, were each charged with first degree theft and first degree criminal mischief.
The state alleges that the markers had the wording ground off of them and were then cut into smaller pieces to prepare them for the scrap metal process.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department recovered over 700 pounds of pieces of markers on January 23rd.
Smith demanded a speedy trial, with his jury trial set to begin April 8th. Johnson and Card waived their rights to a speedy trial.
If convicted on the charges, each person could be sentenced for up to 20 years in prison.
