Suspect Arrested in Vandalism of World War II Memorial, Faces Two Federal Felonies
The woman accused of vandalizing the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., has been taken into custody and is facing two federal felony charges, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Friday.
Federal prosecutors identified the suspect as Melissa L. Farris.
The vandalism was discovered Thursday afternoon, August 13, when the memorial’s fountain was found overflowing with soap bubbles. The words “Clean Hands Dirty $” had been painted across one of its stone surfaces, with red and green paint splattered around the area.
Police and National Guard personnel cordoned off the memorial as investigators examined and measured the damage. Workers were later called to remove the graffiti.
The Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia are charging Farris with depredation against property of the United States and destruction of veterans’ memorials. Each charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
“Vandalizing our World War II Memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom,” Pirro said. “Those Americans include my father and grandfather.”
“This morning, we are filing two felony charges, Depredation Against Property of the United States and Destruction of Veterans’ Memorials, in Federal District Court against Melissa L. Farris,” Pirro continued. “She is now in custody.”
The National World War II Memorial, which was dedicated in 2004, honors the approximately 16 million Americans who served in the nation’s armed forces during the war, including more than 400,000 who died.
The Friends of the National World War II Memorial condemned the vandalism, describing the monument as a sacred place of remembrance that should never be used as a canvas for protest or destruction. Reuters, New York Post
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