law

The David Hearn Case: What the Court Records Show

From a felony indictment to the government's own motion to dismiss

By JLCAugust 19, 2026

David Hearn was indicted for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Less than a month later, prosecutors asked the court to dismiss the case after receiving information indicating that the pool's lining had failed because of a rushed and flawed installation.

June 19 — Hearn is arrested

Former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn was arrested after an encounter at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 19, 2026. The incident would later lead to a felony destruction-of-property charge.

Sources:[143]

July 2 — A felony indictment

A D.C. Superior Court grand jury indicted Hearn on one count of destruction of property. The case was filed as United States v. David Carter Hearn, No. 2026 CF2 010237.

Open Indictment

Sources:[141]

July 16 — Hearn moves to dismiss

Hearn's attorneys asked the court to dismiss the indictment. Among their arguments, the defense said the government had failed to preserve physical evidence from the area Hearn allegedly damaged, impairing his ability to examine evidence relevant to his defense.

Open Hearn's Motion to Dismiss

Sources:[142]

July 31 — The government asks to dismiss its own case

Federal prosecutors then asked the court to dismiss the indictment. The government's filing said additional information obtained from the Department of the Interior strongly suggested that a rushed and botched installation by the contractor caused the Reflecting Pool lining to fail.

The government also said the Interior Department had provided incomplete information at the beginning of the case. Prosecutors told the court that had the department provided information already in its possession, the government would not have sought the grand jury indictment.

Open Government's Motion to Dismiss

Sources:[143]

August 4 — Hearn seeks dismissal with prejudice

Hearn's attorneys agreed that the prosecution should end but asked the court to dismiss the indictment with prejudice. That would prevent the government from bringing the same prosecution again.

Open Motion to Dismiss With Prejudice

Sources:[144]

August 6 — The case is dismissed

D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman granted the government's request to dismiss the case. The court did not immediately resolve whether the dismissal should be with or without prejudice, leaving that question for additional consideration.

Open Dismissal Order

Sources:[145]

Conclusion

The court records document a rapid reversal: Hearn went from a felony indictment to the government asking that its own case be dismissed in less than a month. The July 31 filing provides the clearest explanation. Prosecutors said newly obtained information strongly suggested that a rushed and botched installation caused the Reflecting Pool lining to fail, and that they would not have sought Hearn's indictment had the Department of the Interior initially provided information already in its possession.