17 Gravesites Vandalized At Historic Black Cemetery: Manatee County Sheriff

PALMETTO, FL — Deputies are investigating vandalism at Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto after 17 damaged gravesites were found, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The damage included broken and knocked down headstones, spray-painted gravesites, and damaged concrete on graves.

Detectives believe the incident occurred within the past few weeks.

The cemetery, located at 202 25th Street W., historically has ties to the Black community, according to FindAGrave.com.
“Trump” and “Ron DeSantis” were spray painted in red across multiple tombstones, Fox 13 reported.

At least some of the gravesites were damaged and defaced with spray paint during or before March 2026, according to the sheriff’s office.

The agency also said there is no indication at this time that any remains were removed from the gravesites.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains active and ongoing.

“I’m outraged and furious. I’m very disturbed,” Travey Washington, Manatee County NAACP president, told Fox 13, adding, "It hurts really bad to see this. I have my brother, grandfather and grandmother here."

Joseph Roberts, who also has family buried at the cemetery, was also outraged by the vandalism.

“It takes a real sick individual to come out here in this graveyard and break over people's graves and spray paint people’s graves,” he told ABC 7. “These are people’s loved ones, this is sacred. It’s truly disrespectful.”

Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011.

People who want to remain anonymous can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-634-TIPS or visit ManateeCrimeStoppers.com, according to the sheriff’s office.

CrimeStoppers of Manatee County is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible.

The Gold Star Club of Manatee County is also offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to arrest.

According to the sheriff’s office, CrimeStoppers must be notified prior to law enforcement for tipsters to be eligible for the CrimeStoppers reward.

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