PHILADELPHIA, PA — Two people face federal charges after allegedly tampering with the Liberty Bell during a May visit to Independence National Historical Park, including a man accused of pushing the historic landmark until it swayed and a woman accused of throwing an oily substance onto it.
Sean Gerlach, 50, of Fairview, North Carolina, and Dawn Hawa, also known as Dawn Benitez, 50, of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, were charged separately by criminal information, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Gerlach faces charges of tampering with property in a national park and trespassing on national park property. Hawa is charged with vandalism of national park property.
According to federal court filings, Gerlach, Hawa and others visited the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia on or about May 16, 2026.
The Liberty Bell is displayed behind a protective barrier designed to prevent visitors from approaching the historic artifact too closely.
Prosecutors allege that Gerlach jumped over the barrier and forcefully pushed the bell, causing it to sway several times.
During the same visit, Hawa allegedly flicked an oily substance over the protective barrier, striking the Liberty Bell and surrounding areas. Federal authorities allege that the substance remained on those surfaces.
The charges arise from separate alleged actions during the same visit to the landmark.
If convicted, Gerlach faces a maximum possible sentence of one year in federal prison. Hawa faces a maximum possible sentence of six months.
The FBI and National Park Service investigated the case.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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