Former U.S. Olympian David Hearn has been indicted by a D.C. grand jury on a felony charge of destruction of property related to alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The indictment follows his arrest on June 19, when he was accused of damaging the pool's recently renovated lining.
Hearn, 67, denies the charges, stating he merely touched a loose piece of peeling blue coating out of curiosity. His attorney has expressed surprise at the indictment, noting previous misdemeanor citations were the only known developments in the case.
The Reflecting Pool underwent a $16 million renovation under President Donald Trump, who had previously condemned vandalism at the site. Trump threatened 'years in jail' for those responsible, citing damage to the pool's 'American flag blue' coating. The pool's renovations were completed on June 6, but issues such as algae blooms and peeling paint emerged shortly afterward.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized the severity of vandalism against national monuments, stating that unchecked damage leads to criminal behavior. Hearn's case is being handled in D.C. Superior Court, and the story is still developing.