A woman has been charged with two federal felonies in connection with the vandalism of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., according to court documents.
Melissa L. Farris, of Kentucky, is accused of spray-painting the words "Clean hands, dirty money" in pink paint on the memorial and pouring bubble soap into its central fountain. Cleanup and restoration costs have already exceeded $1,000, federal prosecutors allege.
Farris was taken into custody after posting a Facebook Live video stating she was going to turn herself in to federal authorities. In the video, she explained she was "trying to get people to listen" and had attempted to reach the media.
United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced the charges, which include Depredation Against Property of the United States and Destruction of Veterans' Memorials. These offenses carry penalties of up to ten years in prison.
President Donald Trump strongly condemned the vandalism, calling it a "despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom." He noted it was the second recent incident of vandalism targeting national monuments, referencing the earlier defacement of the Reflecting Pool.
The World War II Memorial is the latest in a series of D.C. monuments to be targeted this year. In June, U.S. Park Police investigated an incident where the numbers "8647" were burned into the grass near the Washington Monument. This is a developing story.