Man Charged With Mutilating U.S. Flag

By JOSH POLTILOVE The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jul 10, 2007

TAMPA - A 45-year-old Tampa man faces a charge of public mutilation of a U.S. flag after police said he stomped on Old Glory and rubbed it on his body.

Tampa police arrested Donnie James White at 11 a.m. Monday after several witnesses said they saw him dragging a U.S. flag behind a bicycle he was riding.

After stopping the bicycle, an arrest report said, he "got off and stomped the flag numerous times."

When police confronted White at 3611 W. Hillsborough Ave., he rubbed himself with the flag, threw it on the ground, stomped on it and sat on it, the report said.

According to state law, anyone who mutilates, defaces, tramples on or burns a U.S. or Florida flag with the goal of insulting it, its standards or colors is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor. A first-degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

The flag was gathered as evidence and placed in the Tampa Police Department's property room.

White was being held at Orient Road Jail on Monday with bail set at $500.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib.com.