Federal judge orders release of Kentucky woman charged with vandalizing World War II Memorial
A judge released Melissa Farris, a Kentucky resident charged with two felony counts for defacing the World War II Memorial, after she agreed to bail conditions, despite the Justice Department’s request for reconsideration.
A federal judge on Monday ordered the release of Melissa Farris, 41, from custody after she was charged with two felony counts for vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The court record shows Farris must surrender her passport and may not leave the continental United States without court approval. The Justice Department asked the court to reconsider, describing her as a flight risk.
The memorial was spray-painted with the phrase “Clean hands Dirty $” and covered in suds from a soap-filled fountain on Thursday. Earlier, Farris posted videos on Facebook showing herself spray-painting the site and described herself as a “pirate captain” seeking to draw attention to what she said were misused tax dollars and alleged corporate misconduct.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 3. The case has drawn political attention, with some officials previously criticizing the handling of similar vandalism cases at nearby monuments.