A jury has reportedly acquitted the Pennsylvania pro-life activist who was accused of allegedly pushing a Planned Parenthood escort during a confrontation outside an abortion clinic, Life News reported.
Mark Houck, 48, faced charges that he violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which makes it a federal crime to use force with intent to injure , intimidate and interfere with someone because that person produces reproductive health care. He pleaded not guilty.
The charge stems from an October 13, 2021 incident in which the Biden Administration alleged that Houck assaulted and “forcefully pushed” Bruce Love, a 72-year-old volunteer at a Philadelphia Planned Parenthood.
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Photo of pro-life Pennsylvania man Mark Houck with his family. Houck was found not guilty by a Pennsylvania jury for violating a federal abortion interference law.
(Society of Thomas More)
Houck was arrested at his home by multiple FBI agents in September 2022.
US Representative Chip Roy, R-Texas, celebrated the news of Houck’s acquittal with a tweet.
“Good. They question the $48 billion we give to the DOJ…” he wrote.
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 that was intended to intimidate pro-life Americans.
“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?
Bill Devlin, a pastor who has ministered with Houck for more than 20 years, told The Christian Post last year that it appeared federal prosecutors were “stretching the FACE Act statute.”
Mark Houck seen with his children. Houck was arrested Friday by the FBI following a reported altercation with a man outside Planned Parenthood in Philadelphia.
(Society of Thomas More)
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“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.
Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
