An Army veteran who set fire to an American flag near the White House to protest President Donald Trump's recent executive order on flag burning pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal criminal charges.
Jan Carey is charged with two misdemeanors that are not focused on the act of burning a flag. Making his initial court appearance, Carey was arraigned on charges of igniting a fire in an undesignated area and lighting a fire causing damage to property or park resources.
Chief Judge James Boasberg set on Oct. 17 deadline for Carey's lawyers to file a motion to dismiss the case on constitutional grounds. Carey is due back in court on Dec. 1 for a status hearing.
