Air Force vet, former Playboy model tackled by police over U.S. flag dispute
An Air Force veteran and former Playboy model was arrested after clashing with protesters who were allegedly desecrating a U.S. flag.
(WARNING: Explicit language)
Michelle Manhart, 38, was handcuffed at Valdosta State University in Georgia on Friday after clashing with protesters who were desecrating a U.S. flag.
"I did not want anything like this, but I got a call from a student who told me that the flag was on the ground, and they were walking on it," Manhart told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "I was just going over there to pick up the flag off the ground. I don't know what their cause is, but I went to pick it up because it doesn't deserve to be on the ground."
The incident was captured on video, with Manhart first bickering with protesters and then with police. Manhart can then be seen being detained by police and put into handcuffs. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the veteran received a criminal trespass warning, effectively barring her from university activity.
Manhart posed for Playboy in 2007, appearing in uniform, out of uniform, and also while draped with the American flag. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Manhart was reprimanded and demoted for her appearance in the magazine, and quit the military the following year.
