Suspect in WWII Memorial Vandalism Arrested and Charged

Melissa L. Farris has been taken into custody and is facing two felony charges related to the vandalism of the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., as announced by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro on Friday. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is charging Farris with Depredation Against Property of the United States and Destruction of Veterans' Memorials, which carry penalties of up to ten years in prison. The vandalism incident occurred on Thursday, where the phrase "Clean hands, dirty money" was spray-painted in pink on the memorial, and bubble soap was dumped into the fountain. This incident is part of a series of vandalism targeting D.C. monuments this year.