EagleVail man turns himself in to face charges for Vail flag burning

The Town of Vail put out the following press release on a flag-burning incident in Vail:

At approximately 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, Mitchell Hamilton, 22, of EagleVail, turned himself in to the Vail Police Department. Hamilton said he was contacted by friends after they saw him on social media posts in relation to his alleged involvement in burning another person’s property.

Hamilton was charged with second degree arson and criminal mischief for his involvement in the burning of a United States flag in the early morning hours of Nov. 10. The flag was not Hamilton’s property and was posted on a building on Bridge Street. Police say the arson incident created a dangerous situation that could have resulted in additional items catching fire.

The Vail Police Department would like to thank the public for the numerous phone calls and tips received in reference to this incident. Police would also like to stress that this arrest was not for burning the American flag. It was for burning and damaging another person’s property. The Vail Police Department respects and protects all citizens’ ability to express their First Amendment rights. 

Note: All individuals are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.