Read Blog

Read Blog
July 4 Road Closures

°

Homepage / Houston News
Text Size

Police: Teens Dug Up Grave, Used Skull To Smoke Pot

POSTED: Thursday, May 8, 2008
UPDATED: 7:11 am CDT May 9, 2008

Three teenagers dug up a grave, removed a skull and used it to smoke marijuana, police told KPRC Local 2 Thursday.

Houston police said 17-year-olds Kevin Wade Jones and Matthew Richard Gonzalez and a 16-year-old dug up the grave with shovels, removed the skull from the coffin and converted it into a "bong."

Jones and Gonzalez were arrested Wednesday night and have been charged with misdemeanor abuse of a corpse, officials said. The 16-year-old was referred to the Harris County juvenile justice system. Investigators said another person may be involved.

Houston police said they initially interviewed Jones about the use of a stolen debit card when Jones told them about the grave theft. Asked why Jones would volunteer such a story, Sgt. John Chomiak said, "We can only speculate and guess to what goes on in the criminal mind."

Gonzalez confirmed the story to investigators in a follow-up interview. Police were led to a heavily-wooded site in Humble near the Eastex Freeway feeder road and F.M. 1960, where they found a knocked-over headstone and water-filled hole more than 4 feet deep. At the time, the muddy water prevented police from seeing if the coffin had been disturbed.

"They dug into this gravesite and that was enough to warrant the abuse of corpse charge," Chomiak said. "There has to be further investigation into the actual gravesite."

Police said they do not know where the skull is.

The grave belonged to Willie Simms, according to court documents. Chomiak said that Simms' next-of-kin had not been notified.

Residents in the area knew of the cemetery's existence, it did not appear to be maintained. Preliminary reports indicated it was a 19th-century "veterans" cemetery, he said.

All of the teenagers live in Kingwood and are home-schooled, officials said.

Sponsored Links

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Find out which triggers are under your control. The answers could prevent migraines, and keep you off the sidelines. More

Staging is vitally important when selling your home. These helpful hints will turn your problem rooms into buyer bait. More

Don’t ruin your chances of landing that new job by making easy to correct mistakes on your cover letter. More

Everyone is trying to save a little cash these days, and one way to do it is by having an easy to insure car. Check out 20 cars that can save you money. More

Most Popular

  • StoriesClick to Expand

  • VideosClick to Expand

    • Teen Found Dead In Closet

      July 3, 2009: A father finds his daughter dead inside a closet in their northwest Harris County home. Ryan Korsgard reports.

    • Gas Tanker Rip-Offs Caught On Tape

      July 3, 2009: A gasoline tanker scam is broken up with three arrests after undercover Houston police officers tail a semi with video cameras. Stephen Dean reports.

    • Man Charged In Funeral Home Shooting

      Richard Earl ToussiantJuly 3, 2009: A man is wanted after he allegedly fatally shot a man at a visitation for a deceased child. Mary Benton reports.

    • 16-Year-Old Arrested After Chase

      July 3, 2009: Two police cars crash during an 18-mile chase that results in a teenager's arrest. Mariza Reyes reports.

    • Light Show Displays Patriotism

      July 3, 2009: A Baytown man is putting on a patriotic show at his home to spread some cheer. Ryan Korsgard reports.

  • SlideshowsClick to Expand