Four members of the pro-abortion group Jane’s Revenge accused of vandalizing crisis pregnancy centers in Florida have been ordered to pay compensation and stay away from some pro-life facilities in Florida, the state attorney general said on Thursday.
In March last year, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody took legal action against members of Antifa and Jane’s Revenge for vandalizing Florida crisis pregnancy centers following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on abortion.
The restitution resolves the civil lawsuit filed in March last year, alleging violations of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or FACE Act.
The defendants—Caleb Freestone, Amber Marie Smith-Stewart, Annarella Rivera, and Gabriella Victoria Oropesa—are now banned from coming within 100 feet of the pro-life facilities they had allegedly targeted, according to a statement from Ms. Moody’s office.
These pro-life centers include the South Broward Pregnancy Help Center in Hollywood, the Life Choice Pregnancy Center in Winter Haven, and any of the five facilities owned by Heartbeat of Miami.
“We will not allow radicals to threaten and intimidate women seeking help from crisis pregnancy centers or the counselors and health care professionals serving these women and their babies,” Ms. Moody said.
“In Florida, illegal actions have consequences, and I am proud of the work our attorneys did in this case to make sure these extremists were held accountable.”
Mr. Freestone, Ms. Smith-Stewart, and Ms. Rivera will state an apology on the record during their respective sentencing hearing to the Heartbeat of Miami, the South Broward Pregnancy Help Center, and the Life Choice Pregnancy Center.
They pleaded guilty in June and admitted to spray-painting the facilities with threatening messages, including “If abortions aren’t safe than niether [sic] are you,” and “YOUR TIME IS UP!!,” according to the Department of Justice.
“Two years ago, I was upset with the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs. I decided to express my frustration in the wrong way,” the apology reads, according to court documents.
“I am sorry. Please accept my apology to you, your staff, and the people you serve.”
The three agreed to jointly pay $2,250 in restitution for each facility, totaling $6,750 for the three facilities they targeted. Ms. Oropesa has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $10,000 and an additional $3,000 for the three facilities.
Due to the civil action and securing a settlement, several of the defendants pleaded guilty to felonies in federal court, according to the statement from Ms. Moody’s office.
Mr. Freestone, Ms. Smith-Stewart, and Ms. Rivera face up to 10 years in prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
Charges remain pending against the fourth defendant, Ms. Moody’s office said.
