Former Olympic canoe racer David Hearn pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a felony charge of destroying property at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC, court records show.
Hearn was indicted on 2 July for allegedly ripping out sealant from the bottom liner of the pool, which had recently undergone a $14.7 million renovation. The incident took place on 19 June, when he was detained after touching material at the pool. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted and has been released on his own recognizance.
A status hearing is scheduled for 5 August in Washington DC superior court. Hearn is one of five people arrested for vandalism connected to the Reflecting Pool, with five others issued federal citations.