[This is a summary of The Daily Mail article, “Quaint Maryland town terrorized by Amish teens on raucous Rumspringa gap year”]
When a series of rainbow flags were stolen and yards vandalized across Chestertown, Maryland, last summer, the community was left shocked and hurt. But what followed was a rare and powerful example of how the legal system—when guided by empathy and cooperation—can bring about accountability without destroying futures.
The case, which drew national attention, involved seven teenagers from Amish communities in Pennsylvania who were charged in connection with the theft and destruction of LGBTQ+ pride flags in the small historic town of Chestertown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The Incident
In the early hours of June 16, 2023, several homes and one church found their LGBTQ+ symbols missing or destroyed. Home security footage and eyewitness reports described a group of rowdy teens laughing, shouting, and fleeing in a pickup truck after stealing flags and vandalizing property.
Soon after, Chestertown Police arrested the alleged perpetrators—young Amish men from over 150 miles away. The charges were serious: 40 counts each for the adult defendants, including hate crimes, theft, burglary, and malicious destruction of property.
What made the situation especially surprising was the background of the offenders: they were all on rumspringa, a traditional period during which some Amish youth explore life outside their tightly regulated communities. This group’s “exploration,” however, had gone far off course.
Seeking a Path Forward
Rather than pursue the full weight of the law, the victims—ranging from LGBTQ+ individuals to allies and faith leaders—opted for a restorative justice approach. While some community members wanted harsh penalties, others emphasized the importance of teaching a lesson rather than exacting retribution.
Their voices, along with thoughtful consideration by Kent County State’s Attorney Bryan DiGregory, shaped a resolution that balanced justice with rehabilitation.
The Legal Outcome
In January 2025, the three adult defendants appeared before the Kent County Circuit Court, where DiGregory entered a stet docket—a formal postponement of prosecution—on the condition that each teen complete 80 hours of community service at an LGBTQ+ center near their homes. The four minors involved were required to complete 30 hours of similar service. If the teens meet these conditions, their records can eventually be expunged.
Attorney Thomas Maronick, whose firm represented the defendants, praised the outcome:
“These kids were just youngsters who made some bad decisions. They were just pranks, but they were hurtful to others,” he said.
“This was a tremendous learning experience for them, they’re gonna be much better people from it, and I’m happy with the result that will let them have clean records.”
“Bryan DiGregory worked very hard with victims to come up with this… It’s a situation where you had a number of victims and they had different opinions.”
Maronick also noted that some of the teens had previously demonstrated their commitment to service:
“It’s just—it’s incredible to see that that level of support of people who are really in need and let’s just say what happened was out of character.”
A Model for Compassionate Justice
While the crimes committed were hurtful and serious, the response—rooted in communication, understanding, and accountability—offers a meaningful blueprint for handling youth-related offenses. By listening to the voices of victims and working collaboratively with the court, the outcome fostered healing for both sides.
At The Law Offices of Thomas Maronick Jr., LLC, we are proud to have helped guide this case to a resolution that holds young people accountable while offering them the chance to grow, learn, and contribute positively to their communities.
If you or your loved ones are facing legal challenges, our firm is committed to finding thoughtful, effective solutions—grounded in justice and compassion.
*************************************************
Read the Daily Mail article here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14491411/amp/Amish-Rumspringa-lgbtq-pride-flags-stolen-Chestertown-Maryland.html