Larned man charged with arson after American flag burned

LARNED, Kan. (AP) – A 37-year-old man is charged with felony arson after a large American flag was burned outside a Larned business.

The Pawnee County Attorney says Jason Wayne Cauble, of Larned, was arrested Tuesday and made his first court appearance on Thursday.

Investigators allege Cauble burned a 30-by-20 foot flag outside of Carr Auction and Realty in Larned in April.

Cauble remains jailed in lieu of a $15,000. Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett explained that people who burn their own flags are protected by their right to free speech but arson can be charged when the flag belongs to someone else.

He said he did not have information about Cauble’s possible motive.