Urbana, IL — On the 4th of July, countless Facebook users donned their digital pitchforks and torches and praised the arrest and felony charge against 22-year-old Bryton Mellott. His crime? Posting a picture of himself with a burning american flag.

A short time after he posted the photo on Facebook, Mellott was swarmed with online attacks and threats from countless individuals who have no concept of freedom of speech. Shortly after the threats to Mellott began pouring in, the Urbana police department's phone began ringing of the hook with calls for his arrest — so police responded.

image: http://thefreethoughtproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/flag-burn-1-1200x2133.jpg

Sgt. Andrew Charles, with the Urbana police told the News Gazzette they arrested Mellott because of all the threats against him and his place of employment, Wal-Mart.

"The volume of responses and specificity of threat against his place of employment (a location where an act of violence would likely cause harm to others), prompted police involvement in this case," said Charles.

Police are claiming they were forced to arrest Mellott and charge him with a felony — to protect him.

"The free speech that he was exhibiting, while it was distasteful to some, free speech is free speech," Charles said. "It's when you say things that are inciteful and make it clear that you are associated with someone that doesn't share your ideas; it got raised to a level where a reasonable person there would fear for their safety. It's similar to yelling fire in a movie theater."

Mellott has been charged with Section 49-1, flag desecration, a class four felony in Illinois, Charles said. He's also been charged with disorderly conduct, both as an offender and a victim.