"It is incorrect to say that we declined this case." "But the case was disposed of locally so the DOJ could assume and lead the investigation," DA spokeswoman Jane Roh said. The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office confirmed Monday that the office did approve a private criminal complaint against Houck earlier this year. Philadelphia Municipal Court records show a man with the initial “B.L.” filed a private criminal complaint against Houck in October 2021 and the complaint is listed as disposed. The spokesman said the complaint was dismissed in July after the escort repeatedly failed to appear in court. The website did not mention the other alleged incident where Houck pushed the man while he was escorting patients out of the clinic, as federal authorities alleged.Ī family spokesman alleges that “B.L.” filed a private criminal complaint against Houck after police and the district attorney declined to pursue criminal charges, according to a Catholic News Agency story. It also alleges the altercation was captured on video. Since his arrest, the family has raised more than $185,000 through an online fundraising campaign, which contends that Houck was protecting his 12-year-old son when he pushed the escort who was following his son and yelling vulgar language. Eastern District Court case in 2019 established that a “one-on-one” altercation like the one Houck is accused of cannot form the basis for a FACE claim. The 2019 case involved an Allentown Women’s Center abortion clinic that accused an antiabortion activist of physically obstructing access to the clinic as well as “threatening, harassing, and insulting employees” in a lawsuit. The Thomas More Society, which describes itself as a nonprofit law firm dedicated to restoring “respect in law for life, family religious liberty and election integrity,” is representing Houck in the federal case.īreen contends that a U.S. In a statement Monday, Peter Breen, vice president and senior counsel for the Thomas More Society, said that Houck’s actions do not fall under the FACE Act, and the Department of Justice was told in June that if it pursued charges against Houck, he would voluntarily appear for arraignment.
GOP Pennsylvania governor candidate Doug Mastriano on Saturday released a statement supporting Houck and blasting the FBI and Biden Administration for alleged “abuse of power.” More on arrest of Mark Houck Mastriano says FBI arrest of Bucks County man for alleged assault at Planned Parenthood 'an abuse of power' He has reportedly been a regular anti-abortion protestor and sidewalk counselor outside the Blackwell Planned Parenthood for 20 years.Īnti-abortion supporters have used Houck's arrest to accuse the Biden Administration of exhibiting “unnecessary show of potential deadly force” in an attempt to intimidate antiabortion supporters. Houck is the founder and co-president of The King’s Men, a Catholic men’s ministry and he is a vocal anti-pornography and anti-abortion activist in the Philadelphia region. This news organization was unsuccessful Monday in reaching Houck or his attorney for comment after leaving emails and voice messages. They have alleged that a “heavily armed” “SWAT team” nearly broke down the family’s front door and at least five agents pointed guns at Houck’s head and arrested him in front of his family. The FBI version of events surrounding the arrest is a stark contrast to those made by Houck’s wife, Ryan-Marie Houck, and other family supporters in anti-abortion and Catholic news outlets and media statements. “He did so and was taken into custody without incident,” the statement said. In its statement Monday, the FBI refuted the family’s allegations that SWAT team members or operators were involved in the arrest, and claimed FBI agents knocked on Houck's front door, identified themselves as FBI agents, and asked him to exit the residence. If convicted, Houck faces a maximum possible sentence of 11 years in federal prison, three years of supervised probation and $350,000 in fines. 13, 2021 outside the Elizabeth Blackwell Planned Parenthood in Philadelphia.
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He is free on unsecured bail, meaning he did not have to post cash.įederal authorities allege Houck shoved to the ground a 72-year-old volunteer escort, identified by the initials “B.L.,” as he was escorting two patients leaving the clinic. In the second incident, Houck allegedly verbally confronted “B.L.” and shoved him to the ground causing injuries that required medical attention.īoth incidents took place on Oct.
Houck faces two counts of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrance Act, which makes it a federal crime to use force with intent to injure, intimidate or interfere with someone providing reproductive health care.
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