Defendant Was Arrested With Paint Brush In-Hand
WASHINGTON - Shaun Deaton, 44, of Bloomington, Indiana, was sentenced today to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $3034.99 in restitution to the National Park Service for vandalizing the Washington Monument. On Sept. 20, 2022, Deaton traveled to Washington, DC, and defaced the Washington Monument by painting it using red paint. He was arrested with the paint brush still in his hand and red paint on his clothes and body.
On Sept. 22, 2022, Deaton was charged with destruction of federal property. On Oct. 17, 2022, Deaton pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves commended the work of the United States Park Police and the National Park Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Gold.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
