A Naval Academy graduate, identified as 44-year-old Benjamin Michael, has been charged with a hate crime after allegedly ripping down a pride flag outside of an Annapolis tattoo shop. Security camera footage captured Michael tearing down the flag with the phrase “ABIDE NO HATRED” on it and placing it in a nearby trash can. The tattoo shop posted the footage on social media to help identify the man, which led to an employee at a nearby restaurant recognizing him from serving him the evening before. Michael, a Marine Corps veteran from Dallas, Texas, was issued a summons and charged with malicious destruction of property and a hate crime. His attorney, Caroline Norman Frost, stated that Michael did not intend to destroy or deface the flag, and he does not have any hatred towards any protected class, sexual orientation, or race. Frost emphasized that the video does not show evidence of Michael hating anyone. Annapolis police and the Marine Corps spokesperson have confirmed Michael’s identity and service history. The case has attracted attention on social media and in the news, with many expressing concern over the alleged hate crime.
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Hate crime charge filed against man caught on camera tearing down pride flag
