A federal judge ordered Melissa Farris released under conditions, while prosecutors urged reconsideration and asserted she posed a flight risk. The decision allowed Farris to remain out of custody while her federal case proceeded.
Reuters said court documents showed that Farris agreed to surrender her passport and obtain court approval before leaving the continental United States. The Justice Department urged the judge to reconsider the August 17 release decision.
Why prosecutors objected
Reuters reported that the Justice Department called Farris a flight risk when it urged reconsideration. The August 17 Reuters report did not identify a ruling on the reconsideration request.
The underlying charges remain allegations
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced on August 14 that Farris had been charged by criminal complaint. The two accusations concern injury to federal property and destruction of a veterans’ memorial.
Prosecutors allege that she spray-painted parts of the World War II Memorial’s Atlantic pavilion and that foam appeared in its fountain on August 13. Those allegations have not been proven at trial. The complaint contains allegations, not a conviction.
What happens next
Reuters reported that a preliminary hearing was scheduled for September 3.
