Melissa L. Farris was arrested and indicted on federal felony charges following the vandalism of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro. Court documents filed in federal court show that Farris faces one count of willfully injuring or committing a depredation against property of the United States and one count of destruction of a veterans memorial.
Spray Paint and a Livestreamed Confession
The incident occurred on Aug. 13, when authorities say the memorial was defaced with spray paint and its fountain was filled with bubbles. The suspect allegedly spray-painted the phrase “Clean hands dirty $” on the monument. Investigators stated that the suspect livestreamed the incident on a Facebook account under her own name, recording herself shaking a can of spray paint and declaring on camera that she carried out the vandalism.
Flight, Identification, and Surrender
According to an affidavit written by U.S. Park Police Detective Christopher Edmund, law enforcement initially responded to a call regarding a disorderly person. A park ranger observed Farris fleeing the area. A U.S. Park Police officer subsequently recognized her as the same individual arrested on Monday for unlawful camping on federal property, at which time she possessed a Kentucky driver’s license, the affidavit noted. Farris turned herself in to authorities on Friday morning.
Indictment and Upcoming Arraignment
Federal grand jurors indicted Farris on Thursday on the two felony counts, and she is scheduled to be arraigned next week. Following an initial court appearance on Aug. 17, she was ordered released from custody. An attorney representing Farris did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Condemnation From Officials and Preservation Groups
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated on social media that attacking the monument was a despicable act directed at a sacred site honoring Americans who fought and died for freedom. The Friends of the National World War II Memorial released a statement emphasizing that the location serves as a vital place of remembrance for veterans, families, and visitors worldwide.
Presidential Response and Past Precedents
President Donald Trump addressed the incident on social media, drawing a parallel between the damage at the World War II Memorial and a previous incident involving the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The Justice Department previously moved to dismiss a case against former Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn regarding the Reflecting Pool after prosecutors determined that evidence showed the damage resulted from a flawed installation rather than intentional vandalism.