Three Florida residents have been hit with a stunning plea deal that carries the threat of a decade behind bars for their despicable campaign of terror against pro-life pregnancy resource centers. Caleb Freestone, Amber Smith-Stewart, and Annarella Rivera are facing up to 10 years in prison after they admitted to spray painting threatening messages on facilities that provide reproductive health services.
According to court documents, the trio embarked on a series of night-time attacks between May and July 2022. Dressed in masks and dark clothing, they left no stone unturned in their quest to intimidate employees with slogans like “If abortions aren’t safe than niether [sic] are you” and “YOUR TIME IS UP!!”.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division had a strong message: “These defendants vandalized pregnancy resource centers with threatening messages meant to terrify the employees. Violence and threats have no place in any discussion about reproductive rights.”
The Justice Department is clear that federal law protects both providers and those seeking reproductive health care, ensuring that neither group should be subjected to unlawful intimidation. U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to protect access to reproductive health care and prosecute anyone who tries to interfere.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Rodney Crawford of the FBI Tampa Field Office reinforced that their agency will not tolerate those who seek to attack facilities providing lawful reproductive health services. The sentencing hearing is set for a later date, with the federal district court judge determining any sentence based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The investigation into this case was a collaborative effort between the FBI Tampa Field Office and the Miami Police Department, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacie Harris and Trial Attorney Laura-Kate Bernstein are handling the prosecution. The public is encouraged to report any incidents of violence or threats against reproductive health services or facilities at www.tips.fbi.gov.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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