Alleged flag-burner gets probation for DWI

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September 2, 2008

<a href="mailto:lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com">By LOHR McKINSTRY</a> The Press Republican Tue Sep 02, 2008, 05:15 PM EDT

ELIZABETHTOWN — A former Moriah resident who had been accused of burning the U.S. flag at the Mineville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post was sentenced Tuesday to probation.

Jean-Miguel Gutreuter, 24, now of Plattsburgh, pleaded guilty in Essex County Court to felony driving while intoxicated. Charges of misdemeanor fifth-degree arson and violation of probation will be merged and dismissed.

He was sentenced by Judge Richard Meyer to five years on probation and $295 in fees and surcharges. He must also pay $1,393 in restitution — the amount not covered by insurance — for damage to his mother’s car, which he crashed while driving drunk.

State Police reported that Gutreuter said the flag-burning occurred after his mother, a military veteran, was denied a benefit, and he sought a way to express his anger.

Gutreuter was originally supposed to enroll in Essex County Drug Court, but he failed to appear for an evaluation session, Meyer said.

“I didn’t have a ride,” Gutreuter told the judge Tuesday. “I wanted to be in Drug Court.”

Meyer said that if Gutreuter really wanted to get help he would have found some way to get to the session.

Gutreuter said he is getting help from Champlain Valley Family Services and is looking for work “and trying to get my life back together.”

He was vague on whether he had re-enrolled at Clinton Community College, which prompted Meyer to tell him classes had already started.

“I don’t think you get it,” the judge said.

Meyer told Gutreuter, who was represented by County Public Defender Livingston Hatch, that if he violates his probation he will be sent to jail.

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at:

lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com