WASHINGTON, July 2 (DC Times Online) — A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has indicted former U.S. Olympian and canoeist David Hearn in connection with an alleged vandalism incident at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to court records and a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office.
Prosecutors allege Hearn damaged part of the pool’s newly installed liner or sealant and caused more than $1,000 in damage. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the government believes Hearn willfully destroyed property at the landmark site.
Hearn was arrested June 19 by U.S. Park Police after the encounter at the Reflecting Pool, which sits near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. He has said he stopped during a bike ride to look at the renovated surface and touched a loose blue piece of coating before walking away.
In an interview with ABC News, Hearn said, “I did not damage, I did not rip, tear, break, destroy or harm any part of the Reflecting Pool.” He also said, “The condition of that part and all other parts of the Reflecting Pool were in the same condition after I walked away as they were before I walked up to it.”
Hearn told ABC News he believed he was acting as a curious passerby and did not know he was about to be arrested. He later said, “I’m a curious citizen” and described the material as “very rubbery.”
His attorney, Norm Eisen, said the defense plans to challenge the case. “There’s no justification for this. We plan to challenge it vigorously,” Eisen told The Hill, adding, “Touching water is not a federal offense.”
The charging details available in the reported court records do not include the full indictment text, docket number or judge assigned to the case.
