TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A girl was convicted earlier this week for her position in a sequence of “focused assaults” on pro-life being pregnant assist facilities in Florida, in line with the U.S. Division of Justice (DOJ).
The assaults occurred between Might 2022 and July 2022, based mostly on proof introduced at trial.
Officers stated Gabriella Oropesa, of Cooper Metropolis, together with three different individuals, got down to the amenities in the dead of night of evening. They every wore masks and darkish clothes to hide their identities.
The group then spray painted the amenities with the next messages:
- “If abortions aren’t protected than niether [sic] are you”
- “WE’RE COMING for U”
- “We’re in all places”
- “YOUR TIME IS UP!!”
Authorities stated the amenities the group vandalized had been reproductive well being amenities that supplied and endorsed alternate options to abortion.
“The Freedom of Entry to Clinic Entrances Act is evident: nobody ought to must face threats and intimidation only for doing their job,” stated Assistant Lawyer Basic Kristen Clarke of the Justice Division’s Civil Rights Division.
“The Justice Division will proceed to make sure entry to the total spectrum of reproductive well being providers afforded to the general public, whether or not these providers embrace abortion or counseling on alternate options to abortion,” she added.
Oropesa might resist 10 years in jail for conspiring to injure, oppress, threaten or intimidate workers of the pro-life being pregnant assist facilities. A sentencing listening to is scheduled for March 19, 2025.
The three different individuals concerned, Caleb Freestone, Amber Stewart-Smith and Annarella Rivera, pleaded responsible earlier this yr for his or her participation within the conspiracy.
The FBI Tampa Subject Workplace investigated the case, with help from the Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace and Winter Haven, Hialeah and Hollywood Police Departments.
