Former Olympian indicted on felony charge over alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism

Sr Digital Curator

Three-time Olympian David “Davey” Hearn was indicted Thursday on a single count of destruction of property following his arrest last month at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, was indicted by a grand jury in Washington, D.C.’s Superior Court, after being arrested last month. His charge was announced by District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted.

Watch Pirro’s news conference in the video player above.

Pirro said Hearn ripped up recently installed sealant on pool in “a deliberate act” that caused more than $1,000 in damage. She accused him of “forcefully and violently” pulling up bottom liner “with both hands” and acting belligerent toward an employee who told him to stop.

“This is a case with tremendous evidence,” she said, adding that authorities have made about six other misdemeanors arrests.

An attorney representing Hearn said he wasn’t aware yet of developments with the case since Hearn had previously received a citation, which was a lesser, misdemeanor set of charges.

Hearn previously told CNN that police arrested him after he touched a flap of blue material that partially detached from the bottom of the pool, which reopened last month following President Donald Trump’s multimillion-dollar renovation.

Hearn said a National Park Service worker warned him not to reach into the water before he was handcuffed by Park Police. He denied vandalizing the pool and said he was simply curious.

Trump warned late last month that those who he said “vandalized” the pool could face lengthy prison sentences. Trump also said six people were arrested and several others cited for alleged vandalism of the pool. None other than Hearn have been publicly identified.

The renovation of the pool, which was meant to be completed ahead of this weekend’s Independence Day festivities, was beset with issues involving algae and peeling paint or sealant shortly after it reopened to the public last month.

CNN contributed to this story.