A Wilson County man has been sentenced to serve twelve years in prison for offenses involving Lebanon Cemeteries. Justin Emler, 33, pleaded guilty to vandalism over $60,000 and desecration of a venerated object for overturning several gravestones in two adjoining cemeteries on July 16, 2022. In addition, Emler pleaded guilty to his role in an unrelated burglary where two golf carts were stolen. Emler was sentenced to serve ten years for the cemetery offenses and an additional two years for the burglary case.
Lebanon police were called to Cedar Grove Cemetery on July 16 to a report of gravestones having been pushed over and separated from their base. Police discovered similar damage at the neighboring Wilson County Memorial Gardens. Some of the gravestones were broken as a result of crime.
Within days, the Lebanon police department announced two arrests, Justin Emler and Jeremy Heaton. Both were formally charged and have been held in custody since their arrest.
During the investigation, police discovered evidence that Emler was also involved in a separate burglary occurring a month earlier at the Lebanon Golf and Country Club in which two golf carts were taken and damaged before being abandoned. Heaton is also charged in the Country Club burglary.
Emler will now be transferred to the custody of the Department of Corrections to serve his sentence. Heaton remains in custody awaiting trial on his charges.
District Attorney General Jason Lawson credited the officers of the Lebanon Police Department, particularly Detective Jeremy Johnson and Sgt. Jerimy Pruitte with solving the crimes. “It is impressive to see the talents of our law enforcement,” said Lawson. “Good police work by dedicated officers solved this crime quickly.” Lawson also commented on the impact of the crime on the community. “I can’t imagine the feeling of learning that the grave of a loved one has been vandalized,” said Lawson. “I hope that knowing that Defendant Emler is going to prison for his actions will bring some measure of justice for those families.”