Washington, D.C. – Heather Idoni, 59, of Linden, Michigan, was sentenced to 24 months incarceration for her role in a conspiracy that created a blockade at a Washington, D.C. reproductive health care clinic to prevent the clinic from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services.
According to the Department of Justice, Idoni was one of nine defendants involved in the conspiracy, which used force and intimidation to deprive others of their civil rights. The defendants engaged in a blockade at the reproductive health care clinic, forcing clinic employees and a patient to be injured, intimidated, and interfered with.
“Using force and intimidation to deprive others of their civil rights is a crime, and rightly so,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. “This office will continue to defend and protect the right of every citizen to access health care.”
Idoni is the ninth member of the conspiracy to be sentenced on charges of civil rights conspiracy and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act violations. Her sentencing follows the sentencing of seven other members of the conspiracy earlier this month.
The evidence at trial showed that the defendants used chains, locks, and obstruction to prevent access to the reproductive health care facility. The defendants also live-streamed their activities, which included forcefully entering the clinic and setting up a blockade at two clinic doors.
Idoni is the latest defendant to be sentenced in the case. The other defendants were sentenced to varying lengths of incarceration, including 57 months, 21 months, and 27 months. One defendant, Jay Smith, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Lauren Handy, a 30-year-old woman from Alexandria, Virginia, was found guilty of felony conspiracy against civil rights and violating the FACE Act. She was sentenced to 57 months incarceration and three years of supervised release.
John Hinshaw, a 69-year-old man from Levittown, New York, was found guilty of felony conspiracy against civil rights and violating the FACE Act. He was sentenced to 21 months incarceration and three years of supervised release.
William Goodman, a 54-year-old man from the Bronx, New York, was found guilty of felony conspiracy against civil rights and violating the FACE Act. He was sentenced to 27 months incarceration and three years of supervised release.
Jonathan Darnel, a 42-year-old man from Arlington, Virginia, was found guilty of felony conspiracy against civil rights. His sentencing details were not provided.
Related Federal Cases
- ‘Reproductive Rights Blockade Trio Sentenced for Civil Rights Conspiracy’ · Washington
- Four More Anti-Abortion Extremists Get Prison Time for Clinic Blockade · Washington
- Michigan Woman Sentenced for D.C. Clinic Blockade · Michigan
- 23andMe Faces Legal Fire for Genetic Data Sale · Washington
- Google Cornered: AG James Nails Tech Giant in Ad Monopoly Case · New Hampshire
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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