Federal authorities charged Melissa L. Farris, 41 of Kentucky, with felony vandalism for allegedly spray painting the National Mall’s World War II Memorial. Photo courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C.
Aug. 14 (UPI) — A Kentucky woman was arrested for allegedly vandalizing the National Mall’s World War II Memorial, officials said Friday.
Melissa L. Farris, 41 of Elizabethtown, is charged with depredation against federal property and destruction of veterans’ memorials, both of which are felonies. She faces 10 years in prison on each charge.
“Vandalizing our World War II Memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a statement on X.
Farris was arrested about 2 p.m. on Thursday when U.S. Park Police responded to reports of a disorderly person, according to the criminal complaint.
Law enforcement found spray paint and colored foam covering several portions of the Atlantic Theatre Pavilion of the memorial.
The words “Clean Hands Dirty $” were sprayed onto the walls in orange paint. There were also splatters of green and pink paint.
Officials said Farris had been arrested four days earlier for allegedly camping on federal property, the criminal complaint said.
She is also alleged to have posted videos on social media admitting to the vandalism.
In the postings, Farris said she is “cognitively aware” and “doing so to push my whistleblower case into the courtroom,” according to the criminal complaint.
“Our beautiful World War II Memorial was just hit by Spray Painting Vandals,” President Donald Trump said in a statement on Truth Social. “THERE CAN BE NO GREATER INSULT TO THOSE AMERICAN HEROES WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR II.”
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