WWII Memorial vandalism suspect now in custody, to be charged with two felonies, Pirro announces
The suspect accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., has been taken into custody, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro announced Friday.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Columbia are charging Melissa L. Farris with two felony charges for her alleged role in the vandalism.
"Vandalizing our World War II Memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom. 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, offenses that carry penalties of up to ten years in prison. She is now in custody," Pirro added.
The DOJ is accusing Farris of an act of vandalism which occurred Thursday. Farris allegedly spray-painted the memorial with the words "Clean hands, dirty money," in bright pink paint.
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The alleged vandal also dumped bubble soap into the fountain at the center of the memorial.
President Donald Trump reacted strongly to the memorial's defacement.
"Our beautiful World War II Memorial was just hit by Spray Painting Vandals. THERE CAN BE NO GREATER INSULT TO THOSE AMERICAN HEROES WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR II. First the Reflecting Pool, now this. We are on their trail! Where do these animals come from???" he wrote in a Thursday post on Truth Social.
The memorial is the latest DC monument to endure a bout of sabotage this year.
The high-profile saga of the alleged Lincoln Monument Memorial Reflecting Pool has been ongoing as Trump continues to seek the prosecution of a former Olympian accused of ripping the pool's coating.
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In June, U.S. Park Police also launched an investigation after the numbers "8647" were burned into the grass near the Washington Monument.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.