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WWII Memorial vandalism suspect now in custody, to be charged with two felonies, Pirro announces
By Robert McGreevy
Published August 14, 2026
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. The words "Clean hands, dirty money," were spray-painted on the memorial in bright pink paint.
PROSECUTORS MOVE TO DISMISS FELONY VANDALISM CASE AGAINST OLYMPIAN DAVID HEARN OVER REFLECTING POOL
Vandals poured bubble soap and painted graffiti on the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., Thursday. (Credit Image: © Andrew Leyden/ZUMA Press Wire)
Bubble soap was also dumped into the fountain at the center of the memorial, according to authorities.
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 Friday post on Truth Social.
The memorial is the latest D.C. monument targeted this year.
Trump continues to seek the prosecution of a former Olympian accused of ripping the Lincoln Monument Memorial Reflecting Pool's coating.
Trump posted about a hard rubber surface on the Lincoln Monument Memorial Reflecting Pool being targeted by vandals. (Donald J. Trump/Truth Social)
TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM ALLEGATIONS, CITES NEW WITNESS ACCOUNT
In June, U.S. Park Police also launched an investigation after the numbers "8647" were burned into the grass near the Washington Monument.
The numbers "86 47" on the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wwii-memorial-vandalism-suspect-now-custody-charged-two-felonies-pirro-announces