Veteran accused of taking American flags from Iowa City cemetery, drinking

An Iowa City man was arrested early Memorial Day after officers said they found him stealing American flags at Oakland Cemetery.

According to a criminal complaint, officers were called to the cemetery at 1000 Brown St. about 3 a.m. Monday on a report of a man stealing American flags that were decorating the grounds for Memorial Day. They found Michelle DuBois Touchette, 53, holding about 25 flags, police reported.

When questioned by officers, Touchette was unintelligible and had slowed speech, according to the complaint. He told officers there was “no flag for him, and he was a soldier,” the complaint states.

“Officers explained living soldiers get Veteran's Day,” according to the complaint.

Touchette's blood alcohol content level was recorded at .161, and he faces a charge of public intoxication.

He is no longer being held the Johnson County Jail.