PIERRE (AP) - A former employee in South Dakota's secretary of state's office who admitted to stealing a century-old state flag has submitted a court-ordered apology.
The 26-year-old Garrett Devries addressed the brief letter to the secretary of state, the office's employees and the people of South Dakota. DeVries offers a "sincere apology" and says he understands that his actions caused the office "to devote time and energy to recover the flag."
Devries pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft and was given a suspended 30-day jail sentence. He was ordered to publicly apologize, pay court costs and $1,500 toward upkeep of the flag.
The flag that dates to Deadwood's Old West days had been displayed on a stand inside the secretary of state's office through numerous administrations.
Officials noticed it was missing earlier this year and investigators recovered it from Devries Oct. 8.
