Charges have been dismissed against a man accused of stealing the American flag at East Webster High School.
William T. Watson Jr., 65, of Corinth had been charged with petit larceny and receiving stolen property, both misdemeanors.
Justice Court Judge Rebecca Ellison dismissed the charges Friday upon a motion filed by Webster County Prosecutor Henry Ross. The dismissal was granted upon Ross and Watson coming to an agreement, according to the Justice Court clerk’s office.
Acting Sheriff Andy McCants previously said Watson stated he took the flag because its tattered condition offended him. The retired Air Force lieutenant colonel was in the area putting flowers on a grave when he saw the flag and removed it from the school flagpole, according to the sheriff’s office. The incident occurred the evening of April 19.
School security video and a call from Watson to the sheriff’s office after seeing a news broadcast of the camera footage led to his April 30 arrest.
The 15-by 25-foot flag was in tatters because of high winds, and the school was working on replacing it, according to social media posts.
