Federal prosecutors claim Hearn intentionally damaged a newly installed liner inside the Reflecting Pool, a landmark currently undergoing extensive renovations ahead of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations.
The restoration effort, which carries a price tag of roughly $16 million, was launched to address ongoing maintenance issues and improve the condition of one of the nation’s most recognizable monuments.
However, the project has reportedly faced setbacks in recent months, including algae problems and concerns involving sections of protective material that had begun separating from the pool’s surface.
Because of repeated incidents involving trespassers and vandalism, the area had been secured with fencing and monitored by both U.S. Park Police and National Guard personnel.
According to prosecutors, Hearn entered the restricted area and interacted with material attached to the bottom of the pool.
District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said investigators possess substantial evidence supporting the charge.
Pirro stated that authorities believe Hearn intentionally pulled up recently applied sealant, causing more than $1,000 in damage to government property.
She also noted that several other individuals have been arrested in separate incidents involving the Reflecting Pool, which has become an unexpected focus of law enforcement attention during the renovation project.
The controversy has attracted national attention in part because President Donald Trump previously highlighted reports of vandalism at the site.
Trump publicly condemned acts of destruction targeting the project and said multiple arrests had already been made. He also referenced reports of additional tampering, though some allegations have not been independently verified by prosecutors.
Hearn, however, insists the government’s version of events is completely wrong.
The former Olympian says he was simply curious about the condition of the pool while taking a lengthy bicycle ride through Washington.
According to Hearn, he noticed a section of blue material that appeared to already be detached and flapping in the water.
He claims he briefly touched the loose edge to see what it was made of before a worker instructed him to stop.
Hearn has repeatedly denied causing any damage whatsoever.
He maintains that he never removed any material, tore anything loose, or altered the condition of the pool.
According to his account, the site looked exactly the same after he walked away as it did before he approached it.
The situation escalated rapidly when authorities detained him.
Hearn said he was held for roughly five hours by National Guard personnel and U.S. Park Police before eventually being released.
He has also raised concerns about how the detention was handled.
Among his complaints are claims that he was not immediately informed of his rights, was not permitted to make phone calls during the detention period, and was not fully briefed on the allegations being made against him at the time.
His legal team has mounted an aggressive defense.
Attorneys connected with the Democracy Defenders Fund, including Norm Eisen and Mary Dohrmann, along with attorney Joshua Kolb, have blasted the prosecution.
The lawyers described the case as “outrageous and should be alarming to every American.”
They further argued that federal authorities have built what they called a “concocted narrative” around an innocent interaction with material that was allegedly already loose before Hearn ever touched it.
The indictment now sets the stage for what could become a closely watched legal battle.
Prosecutors argue the evidence clearly demonstrates intentional destruction of federal property.
The defense insists the case represents government overreach and that no actual damage was caused by their client.
As the case moves forward, a court will ultimately determine whether the former Olympian deliberately vandalized a nationally significant restoration project or whether a brief encounter with already damaged material has been transformed into a federal felony prosecution.
No plea has yet been entered, and Hearn is expected to continue fighting the charge in court.
