Christian Miles, a Washington, D.C., resident and former Navy submariner, was arrested near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday by U.S. Park Police. He faces federal charges of disorderly conduct and using obscene language after an encounter with Oklahoma state troopers assisting with security for the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.
Miles, who works as a freelance video editor, denied wrongdoing and plans to contest the charges. He told The Guardian he was attempting to 'document the creeping police state' in the city. A U.S. District Court violation notice obtained by NBC News confirms the charges, which require Miles to appear in court.
The arrest occurred amid President Donald Trump's claims that vandals damaged the Reflecting Pool. Trump has alleged, without providing evidence, that six people were arrested and seven cited for vandalism. The Interior Department and National Park Service have not responded to requests for comment on the alleged damage.
In a separate incident, U.S. Olympic canoeist David 'Davey' Hearn was arrested and detained for five hours after touching a piece of the Reflecting Pool's edge, according to NBC News.