Andrew Jackson Statue Destruction: Federal Complaint Names 4 Men

WASHINGTON, DC — Four men were charged with destruction of federal property in connection with an attempt to tear down a status in Lafayette Square, according to federal prosecutors. Only one has been arrested so far, and he will appear Monday in U.S. District Court related to the attempt to tear down the statue of Andrew Jackson.

Prosecutors said one of the suspects — Lee Michael Cantrell, 47, of Virginia — was seen on video using a wooden board and yellow strap trying to pull the statue off its base June 22.

Graham Lloyd, 37, of Maine, handed a hammer to an unknown person and was seen pulling on ropes, according to authorities. He also is accused of breaking off and destroying the wheels of cannons that were on the statue's base.

Connor Matthew Judd, 20, of Washington, D.C., was trying to pull down the statue, while 37-year-old Ryan Lane of Maryland attached a rope to one part of the statue and pulled on another roped tied elsewhere, prosecutors said, citing the video.

Judd was arrested Friday, appeared in Superior Court of the District of Columbia Saturday and will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin M. Meriweather Monday. Prosecutors said the three other men have not been taken into custody yet.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt said Judd was arrested at home "without incident."

All were charged by criminal complaint, which is a formal accusation for establishing probable cause and not evidence of guilt., officials said.

While the U.S. Park Police and FBI took the lead on the investigation, the Metropolitan Department provided "significant assistance," according to a statement from prosecutors.

"The deplorable acts of violence and destruction of property are unacceptable and will continue to be pursued through ongoing collaborative investigations and enforcement efforts,” Acting Chief of the U.S. Park Police Gregory T. Monahan said in a statement.

The statement came the day after President Donald Trump on Friday issued an executive order that the attorney general prioritize prosecution of those destroying monuments. In it, Trump says the policy of the United States the policy of the United States is to prosecute to the fullest extent permitted under federal law those who destroy, damage, vandalize or desecrate monuments, memorials or statues.

The federal government may impose a penalty of up to 10 years in prison for the "willful injury of federal property," Trump said.

"The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia will not stand idly by and allow our national monuments to be vandalized and destroyed," Acting U.S. Attorney Michael R. Sherwin said in a statement.

While he said the office was "steadfast in its commitment to protect the sacred First Amendment right of individuals to peacefully protest ... these charges should serve as a warning to those who choose to desecrate the statues and monuments that adorn our nation’s capital: your violent behavior and criminal conduct will not be tolerated."

The FBI also shared its commitment to protecting people's constitutional rights while also enforcing the law.

"The FBI respects the peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights, but we will not allow opportunists to hijack peaceful protests to incite violence and destruction of property,” said James A. Dawson, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s criminal division.

Anyone with tips can contact the FBI at 202-278-2000 or tips.fbi.gov.

Related:

• DC Protesters Target Andrew Jackson Statue