U.S. Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn was indicted in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday on a felony count of destruction of property. U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro alleges Hearn caused over $1,000 in damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during a June 19 incident. Hearn maintains his innocence, characterizing his actions as a non-destructive observation of the site’s deteriorating condition.
Did You Know? The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool underwent a $14-million-plus rehabilitation project this spring, which included the application of a new sealant color dubbed “American flag blue” by President Donald Trump.
Allegations and Legal Charges
According to U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro, National Park Service employees observed Hearn “forcefully and violently” pulling up the pool’s bottom liner with his bare hands on June 19. Prosecutors allege that Hearn removed approximately two square feet of sealant. Pirro stated that authorities intend to use an expert at trial to prove the repair costs for this damage exceed the $1,000 threshold required for a felony conviction. If convicted, Hearn faces 10 years in prison.
Pirro reported that park employees described Hearn’s conduct as “belligerent, rude, and disrespectful.” She added that a park employee instructed Hearn to stop his actions, to which he allegedly responded by questioning why the employee cared about the pool, asserting it was not hers.
Defense and Hearn’s Account
Hearn’s legal team, Norm Eisen, co-founder and executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund, and Mary Dohrmann, Senior Counsel at Washington Litigation Group, issued a statement declaring the indictment an attempt by the administration to “shift blame for their own failures.” The defense characterized the prosecution as a “misuse of government power” based on a “concocted narrative.”
Hearn previously stated that he visited the site during a bike ride to investigate reports of algae growth and peeling sealant. He maintains that he did not remove or destroy any part of the pool, claiming, “The condition of the Reflecting Pool was the same after I stepped away from the water as it was before I got there.”
Context of Pool Damage
The indictment arrives amid ongoing reports of vandalism at the landmark. Photos taken after the spring rehabilitation project showed the “American flag blue” sealant peeling away and floating on the water’s surface. Last month, the National Park Service reported that the pool’s liner had been cut with a sharp knife or razor.
Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the park service, previously noted that approximately 70 fence post tops were also discarded into the water. Pirro confirmed that approximately a half-dozen other cases related to pool vandalism are currently being handled by authorities, ranging from misdemeanors to other potential violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary charge against David Hearn?
Hearn is charged with a single count of destruction of property for allegedly causing more than $1,000 in damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
How does the prosecution intend to prove the felony charge?
U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that the government will use an expert at trial to testify that the cost to repair the damaged sealant exceeds $1,000.
Has there been other damage reported at the site?
Yes. In addition to the peeling sealant, the National Park Service previously reported that the liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor and that roughly 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool.
How should the government balance the preservation of national monuments with public access to these historic sites?
