Man Convicted Of Theft Of “rainbow” Flag In Guerneville

District Attorney Jill R. Ravitch announced today that defendant Vincent Joseph O'Sullivan, Jr, (55) of the Guerneville area was found guilty by a jury yesterday in the theft of a rainbow flag. The flag, which represents not only acceptance of the LGBTQ community, but of diversity in the community at large, flies on the flagpole in Guerneville Plaza, underneath the American and California flags. As has been reported previously, the flag has been stolen multiple times over the past several months.

O’Sullivan was charged with one of those thefts, which occurred in the early morning hours of May 9, 2018. O’Sullivan acted with an accomplice, although the accomplice has not yet been charged. During trial, Deputy Sheriff VanBebber testified that when he questioned the defendant, O’Sullivan didn’t deny taking it and admitted that the flag’s presence on that flagpole offended him as well as others.

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “There were many who were very upset by this conduct. The jury’s verdict reflects the support this community has for the rule of law and the right of all to enjoy this county.”

O’Sullivan is also facing felony charges stemming from threats that he is alleged to have made to a Guerneville Safeway employee. A trial date has not yet been set in that case. 

The Defendant remains free on bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled to occur on Monday, July 2 in Department 7 of the Sonoma County Superior Court.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Matthew Hobson. Deputy Sheriff VanBebber.