Melissa L. Farris, a 41-year-old woman from Kentucky, is currently in federal custody following an incident at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. On August 13, Farris allegedly vandalized the memorial by adding soap to the fountain and spray-painting the phrase “Clean hands Dirty $” on the stone surface. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced on August 14 that Farris faces two felony charges related to the incident, each carrying a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Evidence from videos posted on Farris’s social media accounts is expected to play a significant role in the prosecution of the case.
Park Police officer then recognized her from an August 10 arrest for allegedly camping unlawfully nearby.
The incident happened Thursday afternoon at the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall, according to the federal complaint. The words “Clean hands Dirty $” appeared in red, with other paint visible around the area. In one video, Farris said: “I am cognitively aware and executively (sic) of the choices I am making and I am doing so to push my whistleblower case into the courtroom . . . someone has to make choices that are different and I am accountable for my actions. She also said during the incident: “It was me.
Farris is accused of putting a substance into a fountain, leaving it filled with foam, and using spray paint on the memorial. A witness photographed her while she was painting, and a U.S. I am accountable for the things that I do and the choices that I make and our government needs to be accountable for their choices too. I’m doing it. I’m on camera. Pirro called the incident “a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom. Those Americans include my father and grandfather.”
I am going to make these choices today and I will step foot into the courtroom and I will wait to be arrested . . .
The case remains in federal court, with proceedings continuing after Farris was taken into custody.
