Overview
- Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano was caught striking the limestone replica with a sledgehammer and detained at the scene on Oct. 21, according to Prince William County police.
- He is charged with felony destruction of property, trespassing with intent to damage property, and felony injury to a veterans’ monument under Virginia law.
- A magistrate first ordered him held without bond and the commonwealth’s attorney opposed release, but Judge Petula Metzler granted a $2,500 bond on Oct. 26 and it was not immediately clear if it was posted.
- The statue lost the head of one figure and suffered extensive breaks to another face, with officials estimating repairs could cost in the hundreds of thousands and consulting Marine Corps public affairs and restoration experts.
- Court records show an ICE detainer was lodged against Maldonado Soriano and federal reporting says his DACA protections lapsed in August, a combination that could prompt federal custody review as local and military investigators continue to probe motive and next steps for restoration.