Jackson Free Press

[Verbatim statement] Jackson, MS-A Jackson crematorium owner has been arrested following a five count indictment by a Hinds County Grand Jury, announced Attorney General Jim Hood. Mark Seepe, owner of Mark Seepe Funeral Directors & Crematorium in Jackson, was taken into custody this evening by investigators with the Public Integrity Division of the Attorney General's Office following an investigation by the Attorney General's Office, Public Integrity Division and indictment by a Grand Jury on charges that he either converted or embezzled funds that by law were to be placed in trust for benefit of customers who pre-paid for services (§75-63-59 and 75-63-69).

"The Secretary of State's office helped us develop the case on Mr. Seepe for conversion of the pre-need funds to his own use," said Attorney General Jim Hood.

The indictment charges that ,on five different occasions from July 2003-August 2007, Seepe received money as payment for pre-need funerals and "knowingly and willfully misapplied or converted the pre-need funds to his own personal use".

Seepe faces a maximum sentence of ten years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for each violation, for a possible total of 50 years behind bars.

The Office of the Attorney General has been investigating Mr. Seepe on allegations that he desecrated human remains. That case has officially been closed due to a lack of prosecutorial evidence or eyewitness testimony showing that Seepe placed human bones in a dumpster on his property.

"My heart goes out to our citizens impacted by this whole ordeal," said Attorney General Jim Hood. "I urge people to keep their guard up even in the most emotional of times, look out for these type of schemes and ask plenty of questions of your funeral provider. If you find yourself too emotional to handle it yourself, you may want to consider designating a trusted family member to take care of such details."

Seepe was arrested at his residence in Brandon and taken to the Hinds County jail.

The Rankin County Sheriffs office also arrested Seepe tonight on a two count indictment on the same charges brought forth after an investigation by the Attorney General's Office.

As with all cases, the charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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