Former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn was arrested this week on charges of destroying government property after an incident at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.
The 67-year-old three-time Olympian told The Washington Post he was on a 52-mile bike ride when he stopped to inspect the recently renovated Reflecting Pool. According to Hearn, he merely reached into the water to touch a loose piece of pool liner out of curiosity.
Shortly after, U.S. Park Police apprehended him and charged him with misdemeanor destruction of government property. Hearn was held at a Park Police facility for about five hours before being released Friday night. He vehemently denies causing any damage or peeling off any material.
President Donald Trump, who had championed the $14 million renovation, took to Truth Social on Saturday to denounce what he called vandalism at the site and confirmed that arrests had been made.
Hearn's case has drawn attention given his athletic background and the seemingly minor nature of the alleged offense.