Hate crime, arson charges dropped for Trump sign burning suspects

The Princess Anne Police Department says that hate crime and second degree arson charges have been dropped for two women accused of burning a Trump campaign sign in Princess Anne.

D'Asia Perry and Joy Shuford, both 19, each still face multiple second degree malicious burning, second degree malicious destruction of property, trespassing and obstruction and hindering charges in connection to the burning of the political billboard. Both were released on $20,000 unsecured bonds pending trial.

Officials say the choice to drop the hate crime and arson charges was a joint decision between the Princess Anne Police Department and the Somerset County State's Attorney's Office.

The billboard fire happened last Friday in the 12000 block of Carole Lane. Fire marshals say the fire spread from the billboard and burned vegetation in the area surrounding the sign before firefighters from the Princess Anne Fire Department arrived to control the blaze. Damages are estimated at $800, officials said.