Jury Indicts 9 People For Blocking Access To Reproductive Health Clinic In DC In 2020

WASHINGTON, DC — Nine people were indicted for federal civil rights offenses for blocking access to a reproductive health care clinic in 2020, while one of them live-streamed the event on Facebook, according to court documents.

A federal jury in the District of Columbia handed down indictments against the following people on Tuesday:

• Lauren Handy, 28, of Alexandria, Virginia
• Jonathan Darnel, 40, of Arlington, Virginia
• Jay Smith, 32, of Freeport, New York
• Paulette Harlow, 73, of Kingston, Massachusetts
• Jean Marshall, 72, of Kingston, Massachusetts
• John Hinshaw, 67, of Levittown, New York
• Heather Idoni, 61, of Linden, Michigan
• William Goodman, 52, of Bronx, New York
• Joan Bell, 74, of Montague, New Jersey

They each were charged with conspiracy against rights and a Face Act Offense, according to court documents, in connection with an Oct. 22, 2020 incident at a D.C. clinic.

The indictment claims that between Oct. 15 and Oct. 22, 2020, the nine defendants made plans to travel to the District in order to disrupt a clinic's ability to offer reproductive health services. In aid of that effort, Handy called the clinic, gave a false name, and scheduled an appointment for 9 a.m. on Oct. 22, according to the indictment.

On the day of the appointment, Handy arrived at the clinic before 9 a.m. and identified herself to an employee as a patient. Outside of the clinic building, Darnel started a Facebook Live event titled "No one dies today," according to the indictment.

When the clinic opened its doors, Handy, Smith, Harlow, Marshall, Hinshaw, Idoni, Goodman and Bell forced their way into the clinic's waiting room, court documents say.

Once the first patient arrived for an appointment, the group blocked their access to the clinic, while Darnel live-streamed video of the group's actions on Facebook, the indictment says.

The nine defendants each face sentences of up to 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $350,000, if they are convicted, according to court documents.