Funeral home owner facing felony charge of property destruction

Through his attorney, a Basin man pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of property destruction Tuesday morning during his arraignment in the Fifth Judicial District Court of Big Horn County.

Prosecutors allege that Clayton John Draggoo knowingly defaced and/or destroyed the property of another without the consent of the owner, causing more than $1,000 damage.

Draggoo, owner of Atwood Family Funeral Directors of Basin and Greybull, was arrested Oct. 9, 2025, by a Big Horn County sheriff’s deputy investigating a report of damage to the Whaley Cemetery on Road 36.

In the charging document, Deputy Justin Powell states that a caretaker provided the initial report of damage to the cemetery that launched the investigation.

The caretaker alleged that Draggoo caused damage by driving on the grass with his work boom truck after previously telling him that he could not show up to do headstone placements while the cemetery was being irrigated.  

The caretaker told the deputy that the cemetery was being watered when Draggoo was there on Oct. 9, 2025 and that he’d gained access through an entrance at the back of the cemetery that did not have a gate but was blocked by a heavy piece of metal and a chunk of concrete.

Upon arrival, Powell observed “deep” tracks through the middle of the cemetery, as well as the headstone that had been set earlier in the day.

Videos and photos of a truck stuck in the grass were provided.  

According to the affidavit, an officer stopped Draggoo’s vehicle on U.S. Highway 14, outside of Greybull. 

Powell wrote in the affidavit that he observed not only the boom truck seen in the photos and videos but also grass and mud on the mud flaps of the vehicle Draggoo was driving.

He added that Draggoo refused to provide identification when asked to do so and that Draggoo told Raymond he would not be making any statements.

He was arrested without incident and taken to the detention center.

In court Tuesday, Judge Bobbi Overfield informed Draggoo that he could potentially face up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $10,000 if found guilty of the felony charge.

Attorneys on both sides agreed that two days would be sufficient if the matter goes to trial.