Mexican National Is Charged With Smashing Iwo Jima Memorial

A 27-year-old man has been charged after allegedly using a sledgehammer to damage the famous Iwo Jima Memorial near Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, according to federal prosecutors.

Authorities said the damage included removing the head of one Marine statue and breaking off several rifle barrels.

Prince William County police found Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, of Stafford, Virginia, damaging the memorial at around 10:15 p.m. last Wednesday. The monument is located near the entrance to Marine Corps Base Quantico, along Joplin Road and U.S. Highway 1.

According to a court document from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the man climbed down from the statue and surrendered peacefully when officers arrived. Police then took him to a station in Woodbridge for questioning.

During the interview, Soriano admitted damaging the monument, according to investigators. He said he had taken the sledgehammer from his vehicle, where he kept it for his construction job.

A witness who called the police also recorded a video of the incident. The witness later gave the video to investigators.

Officials said the attack caused serious damage to the memorial. One statue’s head was completely knocked off, several rifle barrels were removed, and other parts of the monument were damaged. Photos included in the court document showed the detached head lying on the grass and damage to the statues and weapons.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said Monday that Soriano remains in state custody.

Once he is transferred to federal custody, he will face charges of deliberately damaging federal property and damaging or destroying a monument that honors military service.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Officials have not announced a possible motive for the alleged attack.