EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso fire marshals said a 16-year-old sophomore at Del Valle High School tried to burn an American flag.

According to Ysleta ISD officials, around 8 a.m. the student went to the flag pole at the front of campus, took down the flag, and then started to light it on fire. The official said a security guard noticed what was taking place, and took the student into custody.

El Paso fire inspectors charged the 16-year-old boy with destruction of flag, a class A misdemeanor with a penalty of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

"He did state that the reason he did it was because he was bored," Lt. Mario Hernandez told KFOX.

Coming up tonight on KFOX News at Nine, we talk to a civil rights lawyer about the constitutionality of the Texas law banning the burning of the American flag.