By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
EL RENO – A Canadian County judge signed warrants for the arrest of two people accused of destroying a tombstone at a Yukon-area cemetery.
Yukon’s Cole Weston Wagner, 24; and Oklahoma City’s Maliah Monet Wright, 22, were both charged March 21 in Canadian County District Court with injury to cemetery gravestone/tomb.
The misdemeanor crime is punishable by not less than six months in prison and/or a maximum $2,500 fine, along with up to 240 hours of community service.
Assistant District Attorney Micheal Oglesby alleges Wagner and Wright “willfully with malicious intent” kicked a tombstone at Frisco Cemetery.
Oklahoma City Police investigated an incident that occurred June 27, 2022 at the cemetery, 14200 W Britton Road. The cemetery has a Yukon address but is in Oklahoma City limits.
Canadian County Special Judge David H. Halley issued the warrants for Wagner’s and Wright’s arrests. Bond was set at $1,000 for each defendant.
Cell phone video shared on a social media site showed Wagner “using a frontal leg kick” to knock over a gravestone in the shape of a nativity cross,” according to a probable cause affidavit signed by Oklahoma City Police Det. Drew Dyer.
“The gravestone, being approximately four feet tall and being narrow at the bottom around the pedestal, fell over and is a total loss.”
Damage estimate is $5,985.
VIDEO SHARING
The video, which allegedly captured Wagner and Wright in the graveyard, was shared on Facebook and seen by many Facebook users.
The incident was initially investigated by Yukon Police.
Wagner’s name “was obtained due to being an associate with the female who posted the video,” according to Inspector Dyer’s affidavit.
“The defendant was contacted and asked to come to the Yukon Police headquarters where he verbally confessed to destroying the gravestone.”
Wagner also allegedly completed a handwritten confession statement.
After being advised that Frisco Cemetery is inside Oklahoma City limits, the person who reported the crime was asked to file a police report with Oklahoma City Police.
