Melissa L. Farris Charged in World War II Memorial Vandalism
Federal prosecutors announced charges against Melissa L. Farris following vandalism at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
3 reports on this incident · first at Aug 16, 2026, 5:06 p.m. ET
This case is not concluded. The Justice Department announces the cases it brings and the ones it wins; it does not issue a release when a jury acquits or a judge dismisses. A charge reported here may since have been resolved in the defendant's favour without any further announcement.
Earlier reports
Aug 16, 2026, 5:11 p.m. ET
Melissa L. Farris Charged Over World War II Memorial Vandalism; Case Undecided
On August 14, 2026, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., announced charges against Melissa L. Farris in connection with the vandalism of the World War II Memorial. The case is at the charging stage and has not been decided: no plea, trial or verdict has been reported, and Farris has not been convicted of anything. The U.S. Park Police served as the investigating agency.
Farris is charged with depredation against property of the U.S. and destruction of a veterans' memorial, charges that carry a statutory maximum of up to ten years in prison. That figure is the maximum allowed by statute, not a sentence — no sentence has been imposed, because the charges have not been resolved.
According to the complaint, a witness photographed Farris apparently spray painting the memorial before she fled, red paint was dumped onto the walls and floor of the Atlantic pavilion, and a substance poured into the fountain caused it to bubble. Authorities also said social media videos included one where she admits to damaging the memorial. None of these assertions has been tested in court.
The proceeding remains at the charging stage and is undecided. The charges are allegations, and the accused is untried and presumed innocent. A reader coming to this account later should treat the case as open: nothing in the reporting available here records how it ended, or whether it has ended at all.
Aug 16, 2026, 5:06 p.m. ETFirst report
Woman Charged in World War II Memorial Vandalism Case
Federal prosecutors announced charges on Aug. 14, 2026, against Melissa L. Farris in connection with the vandalism of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., according to KJLH Radio. The case remains open and developing.\n\nFarris was charged with depredation against property of the United States and destruction of a veterans' memorial, offences that carry a statutory maximum of up to ten years in prison, KJLH Radio reported. The case is currently at the charging stage and remains undecided. The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.\n\nAccording to the complaint reported by KJLH Radio, prosecutors allege a witness photographed Farris apparently spray painting the memorial before she fled, red paint was dumped onto the walls and floor of the Atlantic pavilion, and a substance poured into the fountain caused it to bubble. Authorities said social media videos included one in which Farris admits to damaging the memorial. The U.S. Park Police investigated the case alongside U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C.
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Revision history
- Version 116 Aug 2026, 21:11current
First published.
- Version 116 Aug 2026, 21:06current
First published.
- Version 116 Aug 2026, 21:24current
First published.
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