Woman Charged Over Vandalism of Washington's World War Two Memorial

A World War Two memorial in Washington, D.C., became the target of vandalism on Thursday when a woman allegedly defaced the fountain with graffiti and filled it with soap, causing it to bubble over. The incident has led to the arrest of Melissa Farris, a woman from Kentucky.

According to Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Farris faces two felony counts, each carrying a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The graffiti spray-painted on the memorial included the phrase "Clean hands Dirty $" and splattered the area with red and green paint. Videos posted by Farris on her Facebook account appear to show her spray-painting the memorial and questioning why she had not yet been arrested. She described herself on social media as a "pirate captain" who was "panhandling for America."

In a criminal complaint filed Friday, Farris was quoted as saying, “Someone has to make choices that are different, and I am accountable for my actions. I am going to make these choices today, and I will step foot into the courtroom, and I will wait to be arrested …. Our government needs to be accountable for their choices too.” Later videos showed her appearing disheveled and crying, stating she knew she had upset people but was seeking help for herself.

Witnesses identified Farris, and US Park Police recognized her from a previous arrest three days prior for unlawfully camping on federal property near the memorial. Law enforcement also found a sign with painted letters in a nearby trash can, with paint matching that used on the memorial. Pirro shared photos on social media that appear to show Farris spray-painting the monument.

The incident has drawn attention, partly due to Pirro's recent actions in dropping charges against individuals accused of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, a decision that had previously drawn criticism from President Donald Trump. Trump had publicly stated Pirro had "folded like an umbrella" in that instance.

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Someone has to make choices that are different, and I am accountable for my actions. I am going to make these choices today, and I will step foot into the courtroom, and I will wait to be arrested …. Our government needs to be accountable for their choices too.