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Woman Charged in Connection With Graffiti and Bubbles at D.C. WWII Memorial

U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said the woman accused of vandalizing the memorial is now in custody.

WWII Memorial in D.C.

The vandalism of D.C.’s WWII Memorial comes weeks after charges were filed against a former Olympian canoeist, David Hearn, in connection to damage at the reflecting pool. John McDonnell/AP

By Torrie Herrington

August 14, 2026 01:23 p.m.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Friday that the Department of Justice is planning to file two felony charges against a woman accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial in D.C.

Pirro said the woman, Melissa L. Farris, is now in custody and facing charges that carry up to 10 years in prison. Pirro said the charges were depredation against property of the United States and destruction of veterans’ memorials.

The World War II Memorial was vandalized on Thursday, sprayed with red paint that read “Clean hands dirty $,” and the fountain was filled with bubbles.