Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Woman accused in WWII Memorial vandalism released; due back in court next month

nbcwashington.com · 7h · first reportShare

The woman who was arrested last week for allegedly vandalizing the World War II Memorial has been released from jail in Alexandria, Virginia. The memorial was found defaced by spray-paint, with bubbles overflowing from a fountain Thursday afternoon. Melissa L. Farris, of Kentucky, turned herself in the following morning at the U.S. District Courthouse in Alexandria. Authorities say Farris livestreamed herself as she spray-painted the memorial on the National Mall. On Monday, a federal judge in D.C. granted her release on personal recognizance, over the objections of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who argued she would be a flight risk if released. The judge ordered Farris to submit a DNA sample before her release. Farris is due to appear in court Sept. 3 and cannot break the law while she’s out. In a brief statement Friday morning, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro announced that her office was filing two felony charges against Farris: “depredation against property of the United States