Alaska State Troopers accused a Napaskiak, Alaska, man of disturbing 12 Orthodox Christian graves in the town on Independence Day.
Jason Larson, 42, was charged with felony criminal mischief for damaging above-ground structures at the 12 grave sites, causing about $3,000 in damage or $250 per grave site.
None of the corpses buried at the graves were disturbed, though not for lack of trying, authorities said.
According to a criminal complaint, Mr. Larson tried to dig down towards buried bodies in addition to destroying crosses, fences and house-like structures at the graves.
Some of the people buried in the graves still have relatives living in Napaskiak, according to Anchorage, Alaska, TV station KTUU.
Mr. Larson claimed that “divine inspiration” compelled his alleged act of grave desecration, according to the complaint.
Mr. Larson is charged with felony third-degree criminal mischief.
