Man on probation arrested for vandalizing car with American flag sticker because he was “pissed off at America”

Staff report

Updated on June 9 with information about disposition of the case.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Douglas Alexander Strain, 24, was arrested yesterday for shooting a BB gun at a car with an American flag sticker because he was born in Mexico, saw a Hispanic driver pulled over by law enforcement, and was “pissed off at America.”

Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies had responded to The Crossings at Santa Fe (3205 NW 83rd Street) earlier in the day on May 27 and had spoken with Strain, who reportedly had an air-powered metal projectile gun and admitted to shooting at an “American flag.” However, no probable cause was developed to arrest Strain, and he was released.

At about 5 p.m., deputies responded to a call about a vehicle that had been vandalized. The victim said she saw a man shooting a “BB gun” at her vehicle, and when she inspected her vehicle, she found that an American flag sticker that had been on the back of her vehicle had been torn in half and placed on the driver’s side window. The vehicle also had scratches that were consistent with a knife or other sharp instrument.

Deputies again spoke to Strain, and post Miranda, he admitted shooting the vehicle with a “BB gun” and defacing the flag sticker. He reportedly said he defaced the flag sticker because he was born in Mexico and had seen deputies conduct a traffic stop on a Hispanic driver earlier in the day; he said he was “pissed off at America.” When asked about the scratches on the vehicle, he reportedly said he “took responsibility” for them.

A search incident to arrest reportedly produced an air-powered metal projectile gun, concealed in his pants.

Strain has been charged with property damage over $200 and violating probation. He was arrested in April 2024 on eight felonies, including aggravated child abuse, felony battery, and false imprisonment. Seven of the charges were dropped, and he entered a plea of nolo contendere to resisting an officer with violence; adjudication of guilt was withheld, and he was sentenced to four years of probation. Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail until the probation violation is resolved and set bail at $2,000 on the new charge.

UPDATE: The property damage charge was dropped on June 9 after Strain entered a plea of nolo contendere to violating probation in the April 2024 case. Although Strain’s probation officer recommended converting the probation to community control (house arrest) for 12 months, Judge William Davis sentenced Strain to 24 days in jail with credit for 24 days served and reinstated the prior terms and conditions of his probation.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.