3 charged in Belmont statue case

Three young men from Gaston County have been charged in connection with the destruction of a World War II-era statue last summer in Belmont, police say.

Belmont police say the three -- identified as Justin Russell, 19, of Mount Holly; Henry Diegert, 18, of Mount Holly; and Steven Morgan, 18, of Stanley -- were arrested this week. They say tips from the public led to the arrests.

The three men are charged in connection with vandalism to "Spirit of the Fighting Yank," which was sculpted by E.M. Viquesney and erected in Belmont in 1946. It was among six such works produced by the sculptor.

Belmont police said they found the statue on the ground last July 24, knocked off its stand in front of Belmont Middle School. The head was missing, and police say the three men told them they dumped the head in a nearby creek.

The three were charged with larceny; conspiracy to commit larceny; and conspiracy to deface a public statue. The first two charges are felonies.