Deadlocked jurors will reconvene Monday in the case against a Pennsylvania pro-life activist who faces up to 11 years in prison for allegedly pushing a Planned Parenthood escort during a confrontation outside an abortion clinic.
Mark Houck, 48, was arrested by the FBI last September in front of his family at their home in rural Kintnersville, Pennsylvania, accused of violating the Free Access to Clinic Entrances Act during an altercation that had with the escort in Philadelphia in October 2021.
Houck pleaded not guilty to violating the FACE Act, which prohibits “violent, threatening, harmful, and obstructive conduct intended to harm, intimidate, or interfere with the right to seek, obtain, or provide reproductive health services.”
Houck, a Catholic who regularly participated in prayer protests outside abortion clinics, was accused of pushing Bruce Love, 72, after the escort allegedly yelled at Houck’s 12-year-old son. Both Houck and his daughter testified during the trial last week.
LAWYER FOR PRO-LIFE ACTIVIST ARRESTED BY FBI EXPLOITS DOJ’S ‘OUTRAGEOUS ABUSE OF POWER’: ‘PURE INTIMIDATION’
Mark Houck seen with his children. Houck was arrested by the FBI following a reported altercation with a man outside Planned Parenthood in Philadelphia.
(Society of Thomas More)
Bill Devlin, a pastor who has ministered with Houck for more than 20 years and has been attending his court proceedings, told The Christian Post last week that when Houck’s lawyers were discussing a motion to dismiss, he listened to Judge Gerald Pappert. say, “It appears to me that the United States government is stretching the statute of the FACE Act.”
“We are deep brothers in faith, and I have come together to stand behind and support him because it is the presumption of innocence until the government can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mark Houck violated the Free Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Devlin said. he told the outlet.
PRO-LIFE ACTIVIST MARK HOUCK PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGES AFTER FBI ARREST
Pro-life activist Mark Houck, second from left, leaves federal court in Philadelphia after pleading not guilty to two charges associated with an alleged attack on an escort outside an abortion clinic in 2021.
(Fox News Channel)
Shortly after Houck’s arrest last fall, his attorney Peter Breen told Fox News Digital that his client’s arrest was an “outrageous abuse of power” by the Justice Department intended to intimidate pro-Americans. -life.
“The message from Biden’s Justice Department is pure bullying against pro-life people and people of faith,” said Breen, senior counsel for the Thomas More Society. “Why the hell would he send this phalanx of heavily armed officers into this family’s home, violate the sanctity of their home, scare their children? Why would he do that, other than send a message?
PRO-LIFE PREGNANCY CENTER HIRES PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS TO INVESTIGATE ATTACK, EXPLOITS FBI: ‘WHERE IS THE MANHUNT?’
A family photo of Mark Houck, a pro-life activist arrested by the FBI, with his children.
(Society of Thomas More)
“We are up against the full power of the American government and the highest levels of the DOJ“The attorney added. “I don’t know if the attorney general personally authorized the raid, but his top lieutenants did if he didn’t do it himself.”
The FBI referred Fox News Digital to an earlier statement its Philadelphia office made last fall regarding Houck, which responded that “inaccurate claims” were being made regarding his arrest.
“FBI agents knocked on Mr. Houck’s front door, identified themselves as FBI agents, and asked him to leave the residence,” the statement said. “He did and was taken into custody without incident pursuant to an indictment.
FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during a press conference on August 10, 2022 in Omaha, Nebraska.
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
“Extensive planning takes place prior to notification of any federal warrant. The FBI then employs the personnel and tactics deemed necessary to effect a secure arrest or search,” added the Philadelphia FBI.
“While it is standard FBI practice not to discuss such operational details, we can say that the number of personnel and vehicles widely reported to have been on the scene Friday is an exaggeration, and the tactics used by FBI personnel were professional. , in line with standard practices. , and intended to guarantee the safety of all those present inside and outside the residence”.
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The FBI also said it is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects involved in attacks on reproductive health care facilities, including pro-life crisis pregnancy centers.
