The man accused of defacing dozens of gravestones and memorials at two Freetown cemeteries four years ago has been convicted, according to authorities.

 

In a social media post Thursday, the Freetown Police Department confirmed that 24-year-old Jacob Dupuis pleaded guilty to possession or control of an incendiary device or material, two counts of vandalizing a gravestone, vandalizing property, malicious destruction of property over $1,200 and tagging property.

 

Dupuis was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with 90 days to serve and the remainder suspended, followed by two years of probation. He was also ordered to undergo mental health counseling and to complete 200 hours of community service.

 

Police said the investigation began in March 2022, when officers were called to White Cemetery on Keene Road after someone defaced nearly three dozen gravestones with red spray paint.

 

Several of the headstones had swastikas painted on them, while others had cryptic messages like “ha ha ha ha” and “I will be back.” One head stone even had “I’m a psycho” written over the engraving on the front.

 

Officers were called to Profile Rock two days later to investigate potential vandalism at Profile Rock, where remnants of suspected Molotov cocktails were discovered near a spot that had been burned. Similar graffiti was also discovered nearby, which hinted at a possible connection to the cemetery vandalism, according to police.

 

Investigators returned to White Cemetery a couple months later after someone defaced nearly three dozen more gravestones and memorial markers with red spray paint.

 

Police said at least one of those headstones has a swastika painted on it, while others had messages like “catch me if you can, “I’ll be back” and “I’ve been a bad boy” written on them.

 

See more at wpri.com.