David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, has been indicted by a grand jury in Washington, DC, Superior Court following his arrest last month at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a source familiar with the charges confirmed to CNN.
The exact charges remain sealed, but the indictment elevates the case from the initial citation Hearn received, which was a misdemeanor. Hearn’s attorney stated he was not yet aware of the new developments.
According to Hearn, he was arrested after touching a flap of blue material that had partially detached from the bottom of the pool, which had recently reopened after a multimillion-dollar renovation ordered by President Donald Trump. Hearn said a National Park Service worker warned him not to reach into the water before he was handcuffed by Park Police. He denied vandalizing the pool, insisting he was simply curious.
President Trump warned late last month that those who “vandalized” the pool could face lengthy prison sentences. He claimed six people were arrested and several others cited for alleged vandalism, though none other than Hearn have been publicly identified. Trump also alleged someone carved a lengthy gash into the pool with a sharp instrument, but the federal government has not provided proof of those claims.
The renovation of the pool, intended for completion ahead of Independence Day festivities, has been plagued by issues including algae growth and peeling paint or sealant shortly after reopening.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
