December 24, 2024
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Teen pleads innocent to cemetery vandalism

AUGUSTA – A 16-year-old Augusta boy who allegedly toppled more than 120 gravestones at two local cemeteries more than a year ago pleaded innocent during his arraignment Thursday.

Shawn A. Mason was released from Augusta District Court on conditions that he abide by a 7 p.m. curfew and live at home.

He was banned from being on the premises of any cemetery.

He is charged with two counts of aggravated criminal mischief.

The Mount Hope and Forest Grove cemeteries were vandalized on June 29, 2002. DNA testing on litter left at the scene that included cigarette butts and broken beer bottles implicated Mason.

District Attorney Evert Fowle said Mason’s DNA was on file since he was on probation for a previous offense.

Most of the repairs at the cemeteries, which are maintained by the city of Augusta, were done by city crews.

The maximum penalty for the crimes is confinement to the Maine Youth Center until age 21.

Augusta police said another DNA profile was obtained at the scene. Mason indicated an adult took part in the crimes, but no one else has been charged in the case.


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