A federal judge on Monday ordered the release of Melissa Farris, 41, a Kentucky woman charged with vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The decision came despite objections from federal prosecutors, who argued she posed a risk of flight and requested the judge reconsider.
Farris was taken into custody last week on two felony counts: depredation against property of the United States and destruction of a veterans memorial. Prosecutors allege she dumped soap into the memorial’s fountain, causing it to overflow with suds, and spray-painted “Clean hands Dirty $” on the site’s stone. Additional red and green paint splatters were also found at the scene.
Conditions of Release
According to court documents, Farris agreed to surrender her passport and remain within the continental United States unless granted permission by the court. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 3, where further proceedings will take place.
Prosecutors’ Objections
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., criticized the judge’s decision, calling Farris’s actions an “insult to the Americans who fought and died for our country.” Pirro’s office filed a 30-page appeal shortly after the ruling, arguing that Farris posed an “exceptionally high risk of flight.” The appeal stated that her alleged actions were a “brazen attack on one of the Nation’s most sacred monuments.”
Defendant’s Stated Motives
In videos posted to Facebook before the incident, Farris described herself as a “pirate captain” engaged in “panhandling for America.” She claimed the vandalism was intended to draw attention to her allegations of corporate racketeering, embezzlement, and slave labor practices, as well as what she described as misuse of U.S. tax dollars. The posts suggested her actions were an attempt to publicize these grievances.
Legal Consequences
If convicted, Farris faces up to 10 years in prison for each felony count. The World War II Memorial, dedicated to honoring the Allies’ victory over Nazi Germany in the Atlantic Theater, sustained damage to its fountain and stone surfaces during the incident.
The case has drawn additional scrutiny amid recent controversies involving Pirro’s office. Earlier this month, Pirro faced criticism from President Donald Trump after her office dropped charges against individuals accused of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool following renovations. Trump publicly criticized Pirro’s decision, stating she had “folded like an umbrella.”