Woman Charged With Two Federal Felonies for Allegedly Vandalizing World War II Memorial
A Kentucky woman has been charged with two federal felonies after allegedly vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, by pouring bubble soap into its fountain and spray-painting graffiti across the historic monument.
DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Friday that prosecutors charged 41-year-old Melissa L. Farris of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, with depredation against property of the United States and destruction of veterans’ memorials.
Each felony charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison if Farris is convicted. She remained in federal custody Friday morning following her arrest.
Authorities allege Farris poured bubble soap into the memorial’s fountain before spray-painting the words “Clean Hands Dirty $” in red across part of the structure Thursday afternoon. Investigators estimate the vandalism caused more than $1,000 in damage.
The criminal complaint alleges Farris essentially admitted responsibility in videos posted to Facebook under the name Melissa Lovewell. In one video, she reportedly acknowledged damaging the fountain and claimed she was trying to draw attention to a whistleblower case.
Another video allegedly showed Farris standing near the graffiti and admitting that she was responsible. Authorities said she had also been arrested earlier in the week for unlawfully camping just blocks away from the memorial.
Pirro strongly condemned the vandalism, calling the attack on the World War II Memorial “despicable.” She noted that the monument honors Americans who fought and died defending the country, including members of her own family.
President Trump also reacted furiously to the damage, describing it as an insult to the American heroes who died during World War II. The president pointed to the incident as the latest example of vandalism targeting Washington’s national monuments.
The Interior Department similarly condemned the damage and vowed that US Park Police would identify and pursue whoever was responsible. More than 400,000 Americans died during World War II, and officials emphasized that the memorial is intended as a sacred tribute to their sacrifice.
The alleged vandalism comes amid heightened concern over damage to prominent monuments in the nation’s capital. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was recently at the center of a separate vandalism controversy, while other individuals have allegedly damaged areas around the Washington Monument.
Farris now faces the possibility of substantial federal prison time if convicted. With two felony charges carrying maximum sentences of 10 years each, prosecutors are signaling that vandalism of monuments honoring America’s veterans will be treated as a serious federal crime.