An eight-grader who was suspended earlier this year for refusing to comply with his school’s demand to take off his NRA T-shirt now faces jail time and a fine.

A judge has cleared the way for a related police issue to move forward in court against the boy, Jared Marcum, Breitbart reported.

The case started in April, when Jared refused to remove his National Rifle Association T-shirt. A Logan City police officer responded to the scene to assist administrators and pressure the boy to remove his shirt, Breitbart reported.

Officer James Adkins said Jared wouldn’t stop talking and “was officially charged with obstructing an officer,” Breitbart said. In a June 13 hearing, the judge said he’s allowed “the prosecution to move forward” with its case.

He is due for another court hearing on July 11 if his attorney can’t get the charges dismissed, Breitbart reported. He could face a $500 fine and a year in jail.

His father is confident the judge will dismiss the charges: “I’m more of a fighter and so is Jared, and eventually we’re going to get through this. I don’t think it should have ever gone this far,” he said, Breitbart reported.

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