WashingtonOn February 14, 2024, Jackson Green, 27, of Utah, and Donald Zepeda, 35, of Maryland, were sentenced to federal prison for their acts of vandalism against historical exhibits in Washington, D.C., and their attack on the U.S. Constitution at the National Archives. Green was sentenced to 18 months and Zepeda to 24 months, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia’s announcement on Wednesday.
The National Archives was briefly closed when Zepeda and Green, members of the climate activist organization Declare Emergency, pled guilty to criminal destruction of property after pouring red powder on the glass case containing the U.S. Constitution. The Rotunda was closed for four days as a result of the event, which also resulted in damages exceeding $58,000. Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court also mandated that both men pay $58,600 in reparations, perform community service that includes cleaning up graffiti, and serve 24 months of supervised release. They were also prohibited from all museums around the country, including those in Washington, D.C.
According to court documents, the assault on the Constitution was a component of the two individuals’ growing criminal practice. Zepeda and Green had previously damaged other artifacts, such as the Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial, which commemorates one of the first African American units in American history, and Edgar Degas Little Dancer Aged Fourteen at the National Gallery of Art. Green defaced the Shaw Memorial in November 2023 by painting “Honor Them” in red next to the regiment’s names, and Zepeda recorded the incident.
U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves stated in a statement that these activities disrupted public access to national landmarks and seriously damaged cultural and historical resources. The severity of their crimes and the effect their acts had on the public and our institutions are reflected in the punishments.
Beyond causing property damage, Zepeda and Green’s actions included planning traffic jams and committing vandalism related to their group’s climate demonstrations. Zepeda took the lead in organizing training sessions for other participants in Declare Emergency’s illegal operations. With support from the National Archives, National Gallery of Art Police, and U.S. Park Police, the FBI’s Art Crime Team looked into the attacks.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
