Houghton — Avery Lawrence, the former Michigan Technological University student charged with malicious destruction of tombs and monuments, pleaded guilty on Monday. The punishment resulting in the misdemeanor can result to up to year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Lawrence was charged with stealing and disposing of 900 small American flags which were placed on the Walker Lawn at Michigan Tech to memorialize victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

The Young Americans for Freedom holds the memorial each year to remember the 2,977 lives lost with and each small American flag representing the lives lost that day.

Lawrence stole and disposed of the 900 American flags within an hour of placing the flags which occurred around 6:30 a.m. The flags were discovered in a nearby garbage can.

Lawrence will be sentenced on Nov. 7 at 9:30 a.m. at the Houghton County Courthouse.