A former Olympic athlete, David Hearn, has been arrested for allegedly touching a distressed section of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn, a 67-year-old canoeist, claimed he was simply trying to grab a piece of the pool's liner that was floating in the water.
According to Hearn, he was cycling by the monument when he saw the liner adrift and reached in to grab it. He was promptly arrested by Park Police and charged with misdemeanor destruction of government property.
Hearn, who competed in three Summer Olympic Games, including the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, denied vandalizing the pool and claimed he was being put in handcuffs before he could explain his actions.
The incident occurred on the same day that President Donald Trump claimed vandals had damaged the pool's new coating, which was installed in anticipation of the nation's 250th Independence Day celebration.
Hearn was released on bail and is set to appear in court on July 9. His arrest has sparked controversy, with some questioning the severity of the charges.
