Reflecting Pool Vandalism Prosecutions

David Hearn, a former U.S. Olympic canoeist, was indicted on July 2, 2026 on a single felony count of destruction of property over a June 19, 2026 incident in which he was alleged to have torn a roughly two-square-foot section of the newly installed liner from the bottom of the pool. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance; the charge carried up to 10 years. On July 31, 2026 the government moved to dismiss the indictment without prejudice, telling the court it learned only after the grand jury that the damage was caused by a flawed contractor installation the Interior Department had not fully disclosed. By a July 29, 2026 order, Judge Todd E. Edelman consolidated Hearn's case with the three misdemeanor cases for management of pretrial discovery. As of the August 4, 2026 docket the motion to dismiss remained pending and a status hearing was set for September 11, 2026; unlike the three misdemeanors, which ended immediately by notice of nolle prosequi, the felony had not yet been formally dismissed.

Justin Carreno was arrested on June 20, 2026 and charged with misdemeanor destruction of property valued at less than $1,000, after officers said they saw him place his hands in the water and pull pieces of the blue lining from the bottom of the pool. He has said the arrest cost him two jobs. On July 31, 2026 the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a Government's Notice of Nolle Prosequi, signed by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro through AUSA Michael P. Spence; the case was set for a status hearing on August 4, 2026.

Sophie Elaine Dennison-Gibby was arrested around 2:53 p.m. on June 20, 2026. According to the police statement of facts, a Montana Department of Corrections officer said he witnessed her remove a piece of the pool paint, and during a search an Oklahoma City officer found an additional piece of the pool liner in her purse; her defense said she had picked up pieces that were floating in the pool. On July 31, 2026 the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a Government's Notice of Nolle Prosequi, signed by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro through AUSA Michael P. Spence; the case was set for a status hearing on August 4, 2026.

Cameron Michael Thiers was arrested around 2:10 p.m. on June 20, 2026. According to the police statement of facts, partnering law-enforcement officers from Texas, Oklahoma, and California assigned to the pool detained him; an officer reported that they saw him place his hand in the water and peel a piece of the blue sealant, and that he admitted removing it and still had it in his hand. On July 31, 2026 the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a Government's Notice of Nolle Prosequi, signed by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro through AUSA Michael P. Spence; the case was set for a status hearing on August 4, 2026.