A Planned Parenthood clinic attendant was physically assaulted by a Catholic pro-life activist last year, according to charges filed against him. He was taken into custody on Friday at his residence in rural Pennsylvania.
Pro-Lifer Arrested on Friday
The King’s Men, a Catholic group that seeks to emotionally nurture young Catholic men, was co-founded and is led by Mark Houck, 48, of Kintnersville, Pennsylvania.
According to Ryan-Marie Houck, Houck’s spouse, a SWAT squad of around 25 people arrived at their home in approximately 15 vans and began banging on their door.
Ryan-Marie, Houck’s wife, claimed the SWAT team was going to break down their door; they pointed guns at her husband, herself, and “basically” at her children.
Pro-life activist arrested during FBI raid at Pennsylvania home – Washington Times https://t.co/lIw95LyCco
— Nelly Cosmo (@AreDogt) September 25, 2022
In response to the SWAT team assertion, an FBI representative from the Philadelphia office told Fox News Digital the claims of SWAT teams were false. They claimed Houck was arrested without issue after inviting FBI agents into his home.
A follow-up inquiry from Fox News Digital on the veracity of the claim was not answered by the spokeswoman.
Houck was accused of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, according to an indictment, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero stated on Friday.
The use of force with the intention to harm, frighten, or meddle with anybody only because they offer reproductive healthcare is illegal under federal law.
Houck Pushed 72-Year-Old Man
According to the prosecution, on October 13, 2021, just outside of the Philadelphia Planned Parenthood Elizabeth Black Health Center, Houck struck a 72-year-old man known only as “B.L.” in the case.
B.L. was allegedly trying to guide two patients out of the clinic “when the accused aggressively shoved B.L. to the ground,” based on a Justice Department press release.
In a second scenario, Houck is charged with “vocally” harassing B.L. outside the Planned Parenthood facility before pushing him down violently and causing bodily harm that demanded medical treatment.
Assault always constitutes a major offense. Under the FACE Act, it becomes a federal crime if the victim is singled out, due to their affiliation with a reproductive medical facility, according to Romero.
Pennsylvania pro-life activist arrested by FBI, charged with assaulting clinic escort https://t.co/s1UvdIikLn pic.twitter.com/fUkh4oKRHc
— New York Post (@nypost) September 26, 2022
In simple terms, force is never the solution, according to Jacqueline Maguire, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.
Houck’s wife told LifeSiteNews that her husband traveled two hours southward every Wednesday to give six-to-eight-hour-long speeches outside of abortion clinics. On occasion, he also brought his 12-year-old son.
She claimed her spouse pushed a person who invaded their son’s personal boundaries and spoke crudely about Houck.
The matter was reopened by Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice after the District Court in Philadelphia earlier this year dismissed the man’s attempt to sue her spouse, she said to the publication.
Houck may receive a term of up to 11 years in jail, three years of supervised probation, and fines as high as $350,000, if found guilty. A lawyer who could represent Houck in court proceedings was not listed in the online court documents.
This article appeared in The Patriot Brief and has been published here with permission.
