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Vandals knocked over several headstones in Hankins Cemetery in Richlands last weekend. Photo by Bill Patton

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Richlands police apprehend suspects in vandalism case

By Jim Talbert

RICHLANDS – An evening of vandalism in a Richlands cemetery leaves four Tazewell County residents facing 10 felony charges each with an additional 30 felony counts pending.

Terry Dean Hunnell 21, Jeffrey Allen Kinder 22, McKenzie Wayne Hunnell 20 all of Richlands and Heather Mullins 21 of Baptist Valley were arrested early last week.  Each face 10 felony counts of destruction or removal of cemetery monuments or structures for the vandalism at Hankins Cemetery in Richlands that was discovered on Friday May 11.

Uniformed Criminal Investigator J.W. Gilbert handled the investigation that led to the arrest and subsequent charges of the four.

During the vandalism spree 38 tombstones were damaged or destroyed leaving behind $14,000 to $20,000 in damages, said Puckett.

Puckett said more charges are pending for the four.  Each may face 30 additional felony charges Commonwealth Attorney Dennis Lee will present to the next available grand jury.

McKenzie Hunnell and Terry Hunnell are still being held at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail, Jeffery Kinder and Heather Mullins were released on bond.