WASHINGTON – Timothy Martin, 55, from Raleigh, North Carolina, has been convicted by a federal jury for defacing an artwork at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred on April 27, 2023.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., alongside Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division.
A recent executive order issued in March 2025 by President Trump launched an initiative called "Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful." This initiative aims to tackle crime and improve public spaces in the capital, including the creation of a special task force.
U.S Attorney Martin highlighted the implications of the verdict, stating, "This verdict sends a strong message to the thousands of people who come to D.C. each year to demonstrate and be heard. Free speech is a constitutional right. But when you take action, such as destroying property like priceless pieces of art, you are crossing a line that no one in this city will condone. We want to Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Again, and we will not tolerate anyone defacing our city to get attention for their cause."
Timothy Martin was found guilty of conspiracy and damaging the exhibit after a four-day trial. Sentencing is scheduled for August 22, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson.
Evidence presented in court revealed that Martin, together with co-defendant Johanna Smith from Brooklyn, New York, defaced Edgar Degas’ sculpture "Little Dancer, Age Fourteen" using paint. The act was claimed by the group Declare Emergency.
The accused entered the gallery with paint-filled bottles, handed their phones to accomplices, and waited for patrons to clear before smearing the exhibit with paint. The Washington Post was alerted beforehand, and its reporters documented the incident.
The vandalism resulted in damages exceeding $4,000 and temporarily removed the sculpture from public view for repairs.
Smith admitted guilt on December 15, 2023, and was sentenced to 60 days in prison, followed by 24 months of supervised release. She was fined $3,000 and ordered to pay restitution totaling $4,062.
The investigation was led by the FBI’s Art Crime Team with contributions from the National Gallery of Art Police and U.S. Park Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron A. Tepfer and Jennifer Blackwell.