POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsNBC 6 South FloridaJuly 2, 2026Miami-Dade

Olympic Canoeist Indicted for Vandalism at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

U.S. Olympic athlete David 'Davey' Hearn has been indicted on a felony charge of destruction of property related to an incident at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The indictment follows a series of arrests at the site after the pool's recent $14 million rehabilitation project experienced peeling sealant and algae growth.

crimenational monumentslegalinfrastructure
Read the full story at NBC 6 South Florida

Why It Matters

The case highlights ongoing legal and maintenance issues surrounding the $14 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has become a site of federal criminal investigations and public controversy.

Key Facts

  • David 'Davey' Hearn was indicted on a felony count of destruction of property in D.C. Superior Court.
  • The indictment relates to an arrest at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool last month.
  • The pool underwent a $14-million-plus rehabilitation project this spring.
  • The National Park Service reported that the pool's bottom liner was cut with a sharp object, damaging the foam sealant.
  • Frank Lands reported that approximately 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool.
  • Hearn was detained for five hours on June 19 after touching detached coating in the pool.
  • Hearn denies removing or destroying any part of the pool's coating.
  • The June 9 incident was reported to the U.S. Park Police.
  • The pool's new blue sealant, named 'American flag blue' by Donald Trump, has been observed peeling and floating on the water's surface.

Who's Mentioned

locationLincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool“Site of the alleged vandalism and recent $14 million renovation.”personDavid 'Davey' Hearn“U.S. Olympic canoeist indicted on a felony charge of destruction of property.”organizationD.C. Superior Court“Court where the indictment was filed.”other70“Number of fence post tops allegedly thrown into the pool.”organizationNational Park Service“Agency responsible for the pool's maintenance and reporting incidents.”personFrank Lands“Deputy director of operations for the National Park Service.”personDonald Trump“Former President who attributed pool damage to vandals.”