Pasadena BB Gun Terrorist Gets 2½ Years

Pasadena, CA – Richard Royden Chamberlin, 53, of Ontario, California, is headed to federal prison for 30 months after pleading guilty to a relentless campaign of terror against a Pasadena Planned Parenthood clinic. Over a year, Chamberlin repeatedly fired a BB gun at the facility, causing damage and leaving staff and patients fearing for their safety. The attacks weren’t random; they were calculated attempts to disrupt healthcare access.

Between June 2020 and May 2021, Chamberlin drove by the clinic at least eleven times, blasting BB pellets at the building from his vehicle. The damage, while not lethal, was enough to create a “reign of terror,” as described by U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald during sentencing. Chamberlin wasn’t just shooting at a building; he was targeting a healthcare provider offering vital services, and the intent was clear: intimidation.

Federal prosecutors successfully argued that Chamberlin violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a federal law designed to protect patients and staff from threats and violence. Adding to the charges, Chamberlin was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition – he had a prior felony conviction in Arizona dating back to 2012. The feds didn’t mince words, painting Chamberlin as a deliberate threat to reproductive health services.

In his plea agreement, Chamberlin admitted his actions were intended to interfere with the clinic’s operations and instill fear in those who worked there and sought care. He specifically targeted Planned Parenthood due to its provision of reproductive health services, including abortion care. This wasn’t a case of simple vandalism; it was a targeted attack rooted in opposition to the clinic’s mission. The details revealed a calculated effort to disrupt and harass.

Judge Fitzgerald didn’t hold back. He characterized Chamberlin’s behavior as “calculated and cruel” and ordered him to pay $42,663 in restitution to cover the damage caused by the BB gun attacks. Restitution barely scratches the surface of the emotional toll inflicted on staff and patients, but it’s a start. The sentence sends a message that such attacks will not be tolerated.

The case was investigated by federal law enforcement, and the prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. While a 30-month sentence won’t undo the fear Chamberlin created, it’s a significant step towards holding him accountable and protecting access to healthcare. This case underscores the growing threat of violence against reproductive health providers and the need for continued vigilance and robust legal protections.