{"id":2622920,"date":"2026-07-02T16:07:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T20:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/grand-jury-indicts-former-olympian-over-reflecting-pool-arrest\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T16:08:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T20:08:18","slug":"grand-jury-indicts-former-olympian-over-reflecting-pool-arrest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/grand-jury-indicts-former-olympian-over-reflecting-pool-arrest\/","title":{"rendered":"Grand jury indicts former Olympian over Reflecting Pool arrest"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgrand-jury-indicts-former-olympian-over-reflecting-pool-arrest%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2622920&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrat-official-who-pulled-knife-on-trump-supporters-indicted-on-weapons-charges-media-tries-to-frame-him-as-victim\/\" title=\"Democrat Official Who Pulled Knife On Trump Supporters ... On Weapons Charges; Media Tries To Frame Him As Victim\">grand jury<\/a> in Washington, D.C.,indicted former Olympic canoeist David Hearn for vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool last month. Hearn faces a felony charge of property destruction,which could carry up to 10 years in prison. During a press conference, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/under-trump-americans-have-seen-their-best-wage-growth-in-40-years\/\" title=\"Under Trump, Americans Have Seen Their Best Wage Growth In 40 Years\">evidence shows<\/a> hearn deliberately damaged<\/a> the pool by forcefully removing a portion of its bottom liner, causing around two square feet of damage.Witnesses reported seeing him pull up the liner, despite Hearn initially denying intentional harm. The incident occurred while hearn was cycling and touching the pool\u2019s blue coating, which he claimed was already detached. He was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/several-injured-in-knife-attack-on-german-train-local-media-claims-arrested-suspect-is-syrian\/\" title=\"Several Injured in Knife Attack on German Train, Local Media Claims Arrested Suspect Is Syrian\">arrested shortly afterward<\/a> and is scheduled to appear in court on July 9. The case is part of broader concerns over vandalism of the renovated Reflecting Pool, with surrounding legal actions and repair plans underway. The management plans to drain the pool after July 4 for repairs, amidst ongoing investigations into similar acts of vandalism.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A grand jury in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"260\">District of Columbia<\/a> indicted former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn on Thursday for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool last month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hearn was charged with one felony count of destruction of property, for which he faces 10 years in prison if convicted. The criminal case is before the D.C. Superior Court.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4634758\/olympian-indicted-reflecting-pool-vandalism\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Grand jury indicts former Olympian over Reflecting Pool arrest<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4634294\/couple-climb-empire-state-supervised-release\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Couple who climbed Empire State Building for engagement out on \u2018supervised release\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/national-security\/4632941\/trump-administration-known-terrorist-arrests-biden-mullin\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump administration has arrested 1,900 \u2018known terrorists\u2019 who entered under Biden: Mullin<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jeanine-pirro\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3802\">Jeanine Pirro<\/a> announced the single charge at a press conference.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe evidence shows we will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Hearn willfully destroyed property at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool,\u201d Pirro said. \u201cThis was a deliberate act to damage the Reflecting Pool at the National Mall that members of the National Park Service actually have worked hard to restore and have witnessed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hearn admitted to reaching into the Reflecting Pool, according to the federal prosecutor. The defendant previously denied that he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/police-memorial-to-13-u-s-service-members-killed-in-kabul-terror-attack-vandalized\/\" title=\"Police: Memorial to 13 U.S. Service Members Killed In Kabul Terror Attack Vandalized\">intentionally damaged<\/a> the newly installed pool liner, but witnesses tell a different story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur evidence further shows that the National Park Service employees observed Hearn actually forcefully and violently pulling up and removing the bottom liner with both hands,\u201d Pirro said, adding that he \u201cdamaged approximately 2 square feet of sealant from the bottom of the pool.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/national-park-service\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"190\">National Park Service<\/a> employee ordered Hearn to stop the alleged vandalism. Pirro noted he responded by shouting at the government employee, \u201csaying that [the employee] cared too much about the Reflecting Pool and why did she even care since it wasn\u2019t her pool.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hearn was promptly arrested following the June 19 incident. He was riding his bike when he stopped by the landmark and touched a piece of the pool\u2019s \u201cAmerican flag blue\u201d coating. The former three-time Olympian claimed it was detached when he arrived.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hearn is scheduled to appear before the D.C. Superior Court on July 9.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An indictment was expected for this particular suspect, as President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> has repeatedly blamed vandals for destroying the newly renovated Reflecting Pool. Others have been arrested and cited for alleged vandalism.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4617632\/us-park-police-arrest-olympian-vandal-reflecting-pool\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4617632\/us-park-police-arrest-olympian-vandal-reflecting-pool\/\">US PARK POLICE ARREST FORMER OLYMPIAN FOR VANDALISM OF REFLECTING POOL<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242\/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242.22.1.pdf\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242\/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242.22.1.pdf\">court filing<\/a> submitted last week, an NPS official admitted the foam sealant in the pool was cut with a \u201csharp knife or razor\u201d on June 9 and disclosed that about 70 fence post tops were tossed into the pool. The court document pertains to a lawsuit filed by a nonprofit organization that wishes to halt the Trump administration\u2019s repair work on the pool.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The administration is prepared to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4625549\/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-nps-drain-after-july-fourth\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4625549\/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-nps-drain-after-july-fourth\/\">start draining<\/a> the Reflecting Pool after Saturday, which marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, to allow for repairs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ex-Olympian David Hearn indicted for Reflecting Pool vandalism<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2622921,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26182816391992.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[55208,15074,51050,4825,78950],"class_list":["post-2622920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-grand-jury","tag-indictment","tag-law-enforcement-2","tag-olympics","tag-reflecting-pool"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26182816391992.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2622920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2622920"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2622920\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2622924,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2622920\/revisions\/2622924"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2622921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2622920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2622920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2622920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}