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Man Accused Of Stealing South Dakota State Flag Put On Leave

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A former Secretary of State employee accused of stealing an original, handmade South Dakota flag has been put on leave by the Washington, D.C.-area Republican research company where he works.

Twenty-six-year-old Garrett DeVries has been working for Arlington, Virginia-based America Rising LLC. Company spokesman Jeff Bechdel tells the Capital Journal that DeVries is on leave pending the outcome of his appearance in state court in Pierre on Nov. 23.

Devries has been charged with one count of theft having a value in excess of $400.

DeVries' attorney didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from the Capital Journal and The Associated Press.

The circa-1909 flag dates back to Deadwood's Old West days. State investigators recovered it on Oct. 8 in Washington.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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