A Washington, D.C., grand jury has indicted former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn on a felony charge after authorities allege he intentionally damaged the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

The indictment follows Hearn’s June 19 arrest near the Reflecting Pool, where prosecutors say he removed approximately two square feet of protective lining from the bottom of the pool, causing more than $1,000 in damage. The felony destruction-of-property charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison if he is convicted.

Hearn, a three-time U.S. Olympian who competed in canoeing during the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Summer Games, has denied intentionally damaging the landmark.

According to Hearn, he merely noticed a loose piece of blue liner floating in the water during a bicycle ride and reached down to inspect it before being arrested.

Federal prosecutors dispute that account, saying National Park Service employees witnessed Hearn forcefully pulling the material from the pool despite being told to stop. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said eyewitness testimony and additional evidence support the government’s case.

The case comes after weeks of controversy surrounding the Reflecting Pool, which underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation ahead of Independence Day celebrations. Shortly after reopening, portions of the new liner reportedly began peeling, while algae growth also became a public issue.

Hearn’s legal team argues the prosecution is politically motivated and says he is being blamed for problems that existed before the incident. They maintain he did not vandalize the pool and intend to fight the charge in court.

The indictment escalates what began as a misdemeanor case into a felony prosecution and is expected to draw continued national attention as the legal proceedings move forward.