In a post to their Facebook Page on July 14, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office shared a press release regarding a situation where a 19 year old individual was charged with a hate crime for crumpling up and stomping on a back the blue sign in Panguitch.

According to the release the officer had pulled over three vehicles for going 20 miles per hour over the speed limit. After asking the drivers to slow down the officer let them off with a warning. The officer also noted tobacco products in the vehicles and reminded the individuals, who were from California, that they could not posses them in Utah due to their age.

After the stop a few of the occupants left the area and returned shortly later with an alleged stolen Back the Blue Sign that the release said was made in Panguitch. According to the post 19-yea-old Lauren Gibson “showed extremely aggressive and violent behavior toward the officer, caused a public disturbance and purposely targeted the officer in a very unpeaceful manner.”

In the press release it was stated that this officer has never received a single complaint, is an asset to the Sheriff’s Office and is a veteran. The Sheriff’s Office feels “he was singled out and attacked by this person because he was a law enforcement officer.”

To close the release, it was stated that this case will go forward in a professional manner.