A Zwolle man has been arrested in connection with a string of cemetery vandalism incidents that have plagued two local burial sites in recent months.

According to the Zwolle Police Department, Michael Ebarb was apprehended on July 25 after he was caught in the act of defacing a headstone at the Zwolle City Cemetery. The arrest follows an ongoing investigation into multiple cases of headstone damage at both the Zwolle City Cemetery and the Catholic Church Cemetery.

Ebarb has been charged with several counts of Desecration to Graves and Simple Criminal Damage to Property Over $1,000. Authorities confirmed that during an interview, Ebarb admitted to committing the vandalism.

Following his arrest, Ebarb was transported to the Sabine Parish Detention Center, where he remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.

The investigation remains active, and the Zwolle Police Department has urged anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area to contact law enforcement.

“These cemeteries are sacred places for families and our community,” said a spokesperson for the department. “We are committed to ensuring those responsible are held accountable for such deeply disrespectful actions.”