The Daily Wire is reporting that the Justice Department has unsealed a two-count indictment charging Don Lemon and eight other defendants with civil rights conspiracy (Section 241 of the penal code) and a felony violation of the so-called FACE Act (Section 248). The latter is a codification of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act which, in addition to guaranteeing access to abortion clinics also protects places of religious worship — such as the Cities Church in Minneapolis, which the defendants are charged with storming.
The others charged besides Lemon include Nekima Levy-Armstrong, Chauntyll Allen, and William Kelly, all of whom were arrested on complaints last week (when a magistrate-judge declined to approve arrest warrants based on complaints against Lemon and others). They also include Jamael Lundy, Trahern Crews, and Georgia Ellyse Fort, who were arrested early this morning, according to Attorney General Pamela Bondi’s post. The Daily Wire says there are two other defendants, but does not report their names.
The conspiracy charge is serious, carrying a potential prison term of up to ten years (there are more severe penalties if death results from the offense, which is not an issue in this case). The FACE Act charge is a misdemeanor for a first offense, punishable by up to one year’s incarceration. There are enhanced penalties for repeat offenders, but I don’t believe that is applicable here. There is also a non-prison term — a fine of not more than $10,000 — if the offense was “exclusively” a matter of “nonviolent physical obstruction.” Whether this applies depends on the government’s allegations and proof.
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The others charged besides Lemon include Nekima Levy-Armstrong, Chauntyll Allen, and William Kelly, all of whom were arrested on complaints last week (when a magistrate-judge declined to approve arrest warrants based on complaints against Lemon and others). They also include Jamael Lundy, Trahern Crews, and Georgia Ellyse Fort, who were arrested early this morning, according to Attorney General Pamela Bondi’s post. The Daily Wire says there are two other defendants, but does not report their names.
The conspiracy charge is serious, carrying a potential prison term of up to ten years (there are more severe penalties if death results from the offense, which is not an issue in this case). The FACE Act charge is a misdemeanor for a first offense, punishable by up to one year’s incarceration. There are enhanced penalties for repeat offenders, but I don’t believe that is applicable here. There is also a non-prison term — a fine of not more than $10,000 — if the offense was “exclusively” a matter of “nonviolent physical obstruction.” Whether this applies depends on the government’s allegations and proof.
Don Lemon, Eight Others Indicted on Civil Rights Charges | National Review
The indictment, said to charge civil rights conspiracy and a FACE Act violation, has not yet been posted on DOJ’s website.
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