The McKean County sheriff’s deputy charged with theft for alleging taking a Nazi flag from private property last month has waived his preliminary hearing in the case.
Collin Meeker, 23, of Smethport, has hired a lawyer as well — Bradford attorney Greg Henry.
Meeker was scheduled for a hearing before District Judge Christopher Kalacinski today in Galeton on charges of theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and defiant trespass.
The alleged incident took place Jan. 22 in Potter County when Meeker was in the vicinity of Ulysses serving court papers. The property in question is that of Daniel Burnside, Pennsylvania director of the National Socialist Movement.
According to the criminal complaint in the case, on Jan. 23, Burnside contacted state police to report a trespassing incident. Trooper Brandon Henne of the Coudersport-based state police responded to Burnside’s State Street, Ulysses, home to speak to him about the call.
Burnside related that he had gone outside to feed his animals and noticed one of his flags was missing, and told police “he didn’t think much of the missing flag as his flags often go missing,” the complaint stated.
He spoke to a neighbor across the street the next day, and the man said he saw what happened. On Jan. 25, Henne spoke to the neighbor, Edward Kosa, who said he was working in the office of his business between 3 and 4 p.m. Jan. 22 when he saw a car pull into his parking lot of his business. Meeker was the sole occupant, he alleged.
Kosa told police Meeker got out of the car, ran across Route 49, “jumped up the concrete wall, ripped down a red, white and black flag, returned to the vehicle and quickly left the scene,” the complaint stated. Kosa told police the car was “hauling ass” when it left his lot, the complaint read.
On Jan. 26, Meeker was interviewed by state police. He admitted to going on to Burnside’s property and taking the flag, the complaint alleged.
He told Henne that when he drove past Burnside’s residence, “he became angry over the items that the victim had displayed and took the flag out of anger,” the complaint stated.
Burnside had told The Era last week that the car had been a marked McKean County Sheriff’s Department vehicle. Burnside called McKean County Sheriff Dan Woods and said if the deputy returned the flag and apologized, he wouldn’t contact the state police.
Meeker did return the flag and apologized, but Burnside said he felt as though Meeker had no remorse for his actions.
The criminal complaint noted that Burnside’s property is marked with “no trespassing” signs.
Meeker was released on his own recognizance.
