Graffiti on County Boat Ramp Draws Felony Charge

A Levy County woman has been charged with felony criminal mischief for spray painting graffiti on a county pavilion at the end of County Road 40 near Yankeetown, according to the sheriff’s office.

Kristine Hess used spray paint and a permanent marker to scroll the name of “James Edwards” on most of the surfaces of the pavilion and picnic tables.

Criminal mischief rises to the level of a felony at the $1,000 mark.

Deputies estimated $3,000 in damages to the building and table that is maintained by Levy County Park and Recreation. The sheriff’s office said the “artist’s” work gained a lot of attention on social media.

Word around town was that Kristine Hess was responsible for the graffiti. Deputies know Hess was the girlfriend of James Edwards, who recently passed away. Many of the messages included how “he” was missed.

Hess was on felony probation for petit theft, third violation, at the time she committed the crime and has been charged with that additional crime. She is being held at the Levy County Detention Center on no bond.

Sheriff’s deputies worked hard to gather evidence of Hess’s participation in the crime prior to her arrest. Hess herself confessed via Facebook to the graffiti painted on the sidewalk and road. Hess was located and interviewed and denied responsibility.

“Fortunately, sufficient evidence had been collected and she was arrested on July 8,” the sheriff’s office said.

Since publication of the graffiti, Levy County Parks and Recreation has cleaned up the mess.