Photo by pasa47
On Wednesday July 24, the United States Department of Justice released a statement about the recent sentencing of a man charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act). The convicted 33-year-old, Mohamed Waes, was charged concerning threats he made against the Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio in 2022.
Waes made threats of arson over the phone to the reproductive health clinic, an explicit violation of the federal FACE Act, which makes threats of violence against reproductive health clinics to intimidate employees — as well as interference with their access — illegal. Waes was charged with a misdemeanor under the FACE Act, which he pled guilty to in February of this year.
Along with a previous conspiracy to commit money laundering charge, Waes was sentenced to 66 months (5.5 years) in prison, three years of supervised release, and more than $270,000 in restitution for the money he successfully laundered.
The FACE Act was passed in 1994 after decades of violence against reproductive health clinic patients and providers and the destruction of facilities. The act applies to any reproductive health facility, including abortion clinics, fertility clinics, and pro-life pregnancy services.
Since 1994, the FACE Act has faced many challenges in federal court on the grounds of free speech but has held up to all legal obstacles. Individuals cannot interfere with access to clinics or intimidate those associated with the clinics but can protest outside with certain limitations.
This FACE Act allows for up to one year in prison for a first-time offender, while conspiracy to commit money laundering has a maximum sentence of 20 years. This conviction is a win for the safety of patients and employees of reproductive health clinics and a step in the direction of justice for those trying to prevent women from accessing their human right to reproductive care.
