By Jim Clark

31-year-old Michael C. Lacey, of Boston, turned himself in today at Somerville District Court after being sought by authorities for the September 10 incident involving desecration and vandalism of portions of Somerville Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

The incident was witnessed by a Somerville resident, George Gatteny, who took photographs of the suspect and reported the incident to police. According to the witness, Lacey allegedly removed four American flags from a grave site, flung them to the ground and urinated on them.

The woman pictured in the photographs is not being charged and has not been identified by police. It is being reported that she was not involved in the incident and actually began leaving the area while Lacey allegedly performed the acts described above. He reportedly rejoined her shortly after the incident and they left the area.

According to reports, the woman told police that they had been drinking earlier in the day and then went for a walk, eventually ending up at the Somerville Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Lacey was identified by police with the help of a tipster who knows him. Lacey reportedly works as a cook at a Boston restaurant. According to the tipster, Lacey had dyed his hair brown after photos circulated on social media showing him with his naturally blonde hair.

A warrant for Lacey’s arrest was issued by Somerville District Court on charges of open and gross lewdness, defacement of an American veteran’s grave marker, and disturbing the peace.

After Lacey’s appearance in court today, where he plead not guilty to the charges, Somerville Police placed him under arrest and he was transported to the Somerville Police Department where he was booked and processed, at the end of which he was released on bail.

Lacey will be back in court in October to answer to the charges.