Wyoming Clinic Torched: Woman Charged with Arson

CASPER, WY – Lorna Roxanne Green, 22, is facing federal arson charges after allegedly setting fire to the Wellspring Health Access Clinic in Casper, Wyoming. The clinic, slated to open in June 2022, was to offer a range of services including OB/GYN care, gender-affirming treatments, and abortion procedures. The attack represents a brazen act of violence targeting access to healthcare.

The fire was reported on May 25, 2022, when Casper Police officers responding to a call found smoke billowing from the east side of the building. The Casper Fire Department extinguished the blaze, but not before significant damage was done. Investigators quickly zeroed in on Green, using witness statements and surveillance footage to identify her as the perpetrator. Evidence suggests she forced entry by breaking a window and then doused the interior with a flammable accelerant.

Green was arrested on March 21, 2023, following a collaborative investigation by the Casper Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The feds have charged her with arson of a facility engaged in interstate commerce – a serious federal offense. The investigation was boosted by a $10,000 reward offered for information leading to an arrest, spurred by community tips.

The timing of the attack, just weeks before the clinic’s scheduled opening, suggests a deliberate attempt to obstruct access to healthcare services. While authorities haven’t explicitly stated a motive, the clinic’s provision of abortion care raises obvious questions about potential extremist ideologies at play. The Grimy Times will continue to investigate possible connections to anti-abortion groups and extremist networks.

If convicted, Green faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison, along with substantial fines, a period of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment. She is scheduled to appear before United States Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin in Cheyenne on March 23, 2023. Federal prosecutors are building a strong case, bolstered by forensic evidence and the testimony of those who witnessed the events.

This case highlights the growing threat of violence targeting healthcare providers and facilities offering reproductive services. Law enforcement agencies are working to protect these vital resources, but the potential for further attacks remains high. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor this case and report on any developments, as well as the broader trend of violence against healthcare providers.