Frozen copy retrieved 2026-08-04T13:30:00Z for audit 2026-08-04T13-42-07Z. Original URL: https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/08/01/nolte-justice-departments-requests-charges-dropped-in-former-olympians-reflecting-pool-vandalism-case/. The Stochastic Parrot does not host or redistribute; this snapshot exists solely so that quoted spans remain verifiable if the original page changes. Character offsets below index into this plain text; highlighted spans are the quotes cited in the audit.

Nolte: Justice Department Requests Charges Dropped in Former Olympian's Reflecting Pool Vandalism Case

Breitbart · back to the audit
District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has requested that all charges be dropped against David Hearn, the three-time Olympian who had faced up to ten years in prison for vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Hearn, 67, was arrested on June 19 and indicted two weeks later on a single count of property destruction. Pirro later said at a news conference that a National Park Service (NPS) employees saw Hearn "forcefully and violently pulling up and removing the bottom liner" of the Reflecting Pool and that this act damaged two square feet of the sealant.

Counting Hearn, four people were arrested and charged with vandalizing the Reflecting Pool.

Now according to the Justice Department it doesn't look as though anyone vandalized anything.

The DOJ added that the damage was not caused by vandals, but by the contractor who botched the installation in a "rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2026."

While it's good to see the Justice Department's willingness to take a public relations hit here, as well as invite what will be a withering weekend news cycle, this should serve as another reminder that the presumption of innocence is as important in a court of law as it is in the court of public opinion, which is now online, especially on social media.

Hearn is not the only one having charges dismissed…

Justin Carreno (47) had been charged with misdemeanor destruction of property. His case was also dismissed Friday.

Sophie Dennison-Gibby (49) and Cameron Thiers (26) still have their misdemeanor cases pending.

What you have here is another example of the awesome power of a prosecutor. Yes, the charges were dismissed, but in the meantime, imagine the disruption, stress, time wasted, and potential legal fees involved for these two innocent men. Imagine worrying about having the book thrown at you, which would mean prison time, especially with the President of the United States personally outraged and calling you a "sleazebag" who should "pay a big price."

Remember… Richard Jewell. Johnny Depp. Duke Lacrosse. The Russia Collusion Hoax. The West Memphis Three. Kevin Spacey. Amanda Knox. Legions of peaceful January 6 protesters. Kirk Bloodsworth.