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Reproductive Health Services Blockade in Washington DC
Nine defendants have been charged with federal civil rights conspiracy and FACE Act offenses for allegedly obstructing patients and providers of a reproductive health services facility in Washington DC. The defendants, including Lauren Handy, 28, of Alexandria, Virginia, Jonathan Darnel, 40, of Arlington, Virginia, Jay Smith, 32, of Freeport, New York, Paulette Harlow, 73, of Kingston, Massachusetts, Jean Marshall, 72, of Kingston, Massachusetts, John Hinshaw, 67, of Levittown, New York, Heather Idoni, 61, of Linden, Michigan, William Goodman, 52, of Bronx, New York, and Joan Bell, 74, of Montague, New Jersey, face up to 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $350,000 if convicted.
According to the indictment, the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to create a blockade at the reproductive health care clinic to prevent the clinic from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services. The indictment alleges that as part of the conspiracy, Smith, Harlow, Marshall, Hinshaw, Idoni, Goodman, and Bell traveled to Washington, D.C. from various northeast and midwestern states, to participate in a clinic blockade that was directed by Handy and was broadcast on Facebook by Darnel.
On October 22, 2020, the defendants allegedly forcefully entered the clinic and set about blockading two clinic doors using their bodies, furniture, chains, and ropes. Once the blockade was established, Darnel live-streamed footage of his co-defendants’ activities.
The indictment also alleges that the nine defendants violated the FACE Act by using a physical obstruction to injure, intimidate, and interfere with the clinic’s employees and a patient, because they were providing or obtaining reproductive health services.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Lauren Handy, Defendant/Respondent Real Full Name: Lauren Handy
Exact Criminal Charges: Conspiracy against rights and a FACE Act offense
City and State: Washington DC
Exact Date: October 22, 2020
Sentence or Outcome: Up to 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $350,000
Dollar Amounts where Applicable: $350,000
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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