Assuming the flag wasn't your property (and that you weren't a four year old like in the story), you probably shouldn't be allowed to do it, but it should be at most a minor vandalism case for local police, not the FBI.

I said to assume the opposite of that. The case they were citing was definitely not the owner of the flag doing it.

In many time periods in this countries short history, you would be dead wrong. But, I was more pointing to the bravery of these FBI agents, investigating this horrendous crime

In Afghanistan? Maybe not. In the USA? That could be something very brave indeed. (Rabid patriots please recall brave does not mean good nor bad)