BASE Jumping Incidents in Northern Virginia Lead to Trespassing Charges

Northern Virginia has seen several incidents of individuals illegally BASE jumping from tall buildings, resulting in trespassing charges. Whereas BASE jumping itself isn’t a crime in Virginia, entering private property without permission is.

Recent Cases and Arrests

In March 2025, two men were charged with trespassing after allegedly parachuting off the Meridian at Ballston Commons apartments in Arlington, Virginia. According to reporting by ARLnow, the 30-year-old and 26-year-old accessed the building’s roof around 10 p.m. On January 2, 2025, using a valid call box combination, despite not being residents. They descended over 200 feet before landing on N. Stuart Street.

Footage of the jump was reportedly posted on social media, and law enforcement obtained text messages between the two men discussing the planning of the jump and the need for discretion. Each man faces one count of trespassing and one count of illegally wearing a mask.

In December 2021, a 70-year-old man was arrested for multiple counts of trespassing related to BASE jumps from buildings in Tysons, Virginia. As reported by the Independent, Chuck Moeser was suspected of six jumps, including one from the 850-foot Lumen building. While a statute of limitations had expired on earlier incidents, he was charged for jumps that occurred in 2020 and 2021, including one on the Capitol One Campus.

The Lumen Building and Previous Incidents

The Lumen building in Tysons has been a frequent target for BASE jumpers. ABC7 News reported in May 2019 that Fairfax County Police were investigating at least six incidents involving jumpers leaping from the 32-story building between June 2018 and May 2019. The building presents significant dangers due to power lines, traffic on Leesburg Pike, and the presence of the Silver Line Metro tracks.

BASE Jumping: A Dangerous Pursuit

BASE jumping—an acronym for Buildings, Antennas, Spans, and Earth—involves parachuting from fixed objects. While not illegal in Virginia, it is an inherently dangerous activity. The primary legal risk in Virginia is trespassing on private property to access jump sites.

Recent Sightings and Public Concern

As recently as February 2026, reports surfaced of parachutes being seen in Virginia Beach, prompting speculation about further BASE jumping activity. A Reddit post indicated concerns about individuals jumping from the tallest building in the city.