FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :  Monday, November 23, 2015  
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605)773-3215   

  
 
Former Employee of S. D. Secretary of State Office Pleads Guilty and Sentenced to Theft in Original State Flag Case

 
PIERRE, S.D –   Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Garrett Darwin Devries, 26, Washington D.C., has pled guilty to one count of theft of the “Original State Flag”, having a value in excess of four hundred dollars, class one misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail with 30 days suspended upon the condition that he commits no law violations for a period of one year.  In addition, Devries was sentenced to pay court costs and in lieu of a fine, he was ordered to pay the costs to assist in the future preservation and protection of the “Original State Flag’ in the amount of $1,500 by December 4, 2015. Devries was also ordered to submit a letter of apology to the employees of the Secretary of State’s Office and the citizens of the State of South Dakota.

“South Dakota’s original State Flag is an important part of our history, and its recovery without damage or further incident was an important consideration in the resolution of this case. Mr. Devries has accepted responsibility for his actions and apologized to his co-workers as well as the citizens of South Dakota. This resolution further serves to assist in the preservation of our State Flag for future generations,” said Jackley.

This charge stems from Devries employment at the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office during the time between December 2012-November 2013 and the theft of an ‘Original State Flag’ from his place of employment.

This case was investigated by the Division of Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

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