A man who an Adams County prosecutor described as “basically homeless” faces up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine for possessing a torn and dirty American flag.

Robert S. Forrey, 57, was bound over for trial Wednesday at a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Tony Little. Forney had been in jail since his arrest June 4 near the intersection of routes 15 and 116 southeast of Gettysburg in Straban Township.

Forrey has been charged with a third-degree misdemeanor; under Pennsylvania law it is a crime to show “disrespect” for an American flag. He was also cited for littering, a summary offense.

State Trooper Ronald Jarvie testified he was on routine patrol when he found Forrey a short distance from the roadway near a red Dodge pickup. Jarvie said he noticed some debris, circled back around and approached the defendant.

The trooper testified he found a large amount of trash at the scene, including VCRs, glass and clothing. He was able to match the defendant’s name with mail in the garbage, he testified.

Hanging from a small tree was a dirty flag which the trooper described as “defaced, torn, cut - it looked pretty bad.”

Asked by public defender Sean Mott to clarify in what way the flag was defaced, the officer replied, “By the way it was thrown … it was not folded properly.”

More: Man Faces Up to Year in Jail for Torn and Dirty American Flag - Evening Sun