A Kentucky woman accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial with spray paint pleaded not guilty Monday to two felony counts, shortly before she was released on her own personal recognizance despite prosecutors previously deeming her a flight risk.
Melissa Farris, 41 of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, entered the pleas before U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, according to a court minute entry. She is charged with destruction of a veteran’s memorial and destruction of government property.
McFadden, an appointee of President Donald Trump, set the next status conference for Nov. 23. Farris remains free on personal recognizance.
The Washington Examiner observed Farris leaving the courthouse Monday morning.
In a statement to the Washington Examiner, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office said prosecutors had previously sought a hold but were denied by the judge, calling Monday’s proceeding a routine status hearing.
The office said it would “promptly move to revoke her conditions of release” if Farris violates her release terms.
Pirro, another Trump appointee, previously condemned a judge’s decision to release Farris in August, arguing she “has no home address” and had been “camping in Washington for several weeks.”
She also said immediately following the vandalism, Farris “searched for flights to Michigan, then traveled to Virginia, and claims to have friends in Ohio? If anyone is a flight risk, it is certainly her.”
A federal grand jury returned the indictment Aug. 27, alleging Farris defaced the memorial’s Atlantic Theatre Pavilion on Aug. 13. Prosecutors say orange paint bearing “Clean Hands Dirty $” was sprayed on a wall, with green paint underneath and pink paint on the ground. Authorities also alleged foam was placed in the pavilion fountain.
Trump condemned the vandalism in an Aug. 14 Truth Social post, calling it “no greater insult” to World War II heroes and saying authorities were “on their trail.”
Park Police were dispatched after a report of a disorderly person, according to the criminal complaint. Investigators reviewed livestreamed social media videos they say Farris recorded that day. Authorities estimated cleanup and restoration costs at over $1,000.
WOMAN INDICTED FOR ALLEGEDLY VANDALIZING WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL
Farris told The Washington Post in August that she acted to draw attention to alleged wrongdoing involving a union employer in Kentucky. “I made a big mess to get the nation’s attention,” she said.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.