Paul Vaughn sentenced to supervised release for breaking federal law on blocking clinic access

Pro-life activist Paul Vaughn received supervised release for participating in a protest outside an abortion facility in Tennessee, avoiding the prison sentence sought by federal prosecutors for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger sentenced Vaughn to six months of home confinement and three years’ supervised release — and no fine — at Tuesday’s court hearing in Nashville after his conviction on charges stemming from a 2021 demonstration outside an abortion clinic in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

After a jury found him guilty of a misdemeanor count of violating the FACE Act and a felony count of “conspiracy against rights,” federal prosecutors sought a one-year prison sentence for Vaughn.

But it could have been — and for some pro-lifers has been — far worse than even that recommendation. The letter of the law allows for 10 1/2 years in prison and a fine of up to $260,000 on the charges.

“We are pleased the judge has shown leniency to Paul at today’s sentencing hearing, and I know Paul is incredibly thankful to be able to celebrate Independence Day with his family,” said Steve Crampton, senior counsel at the Thomas More Society, which represents Mr. Vaughn.

“But it remains the case that his conviction is a deep injustice,” he added.

He accused the Biden administration of filing “weaponized and evidence-free charges” against Mr. Vaughn and other abortion opponents for holding what prosecutors described as a “blockade” and pro-life advocates called a “peaceful life-affirming gathering.”

About 25 people joined the protest outside the door of the Carafem Health Center, where they prayed, sang hymns, and urged pregnant women entering the clinic not to undergo abortions.

Another five activists are awaiting sentencing after being convicted Jan. 30 by a federal jury along with Vaughn. Several of those are scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday.

Four others defendants were convicted separately of misdemeanor FACE Act violations.

The prosecution accused Vaughn of stalling police through negotiations and blocking access to the abortion clinic, “despite video evidence showing Vaughn had not blocked any entrance to the Mt. Juliet facility,” said the Thomas More Society.

“For his witness to life, the FBI raided Paul’s home at gunpoint in front of his wife and children, then brought down the full weight of the United States government to prosecute Paul,” Mr. Crampton said. “We will continue to advocate tirelessly for pro-lifers like Paul, to make sure that the FACE Act is never again weaponized by the Department of Justice against its ideological opponents.”

At least 30 pro-life activists have been charged with FACE Act violations under the Biden administration, spurring accusations that the Justice Department is pursuing politically motivated charges against abortion foes.

In May, pro-life activist Lauren Handy was sentenced to 57 months in prison for organizing a 2020 protest at an abortion clinic in Washington, D.C., that saw demonstrators infiltrate the facility and chain up the entrance.

Paul Vaughn, unjustly prosecuted by the Biden DOJ, has been spared prison time.

READ PRESS RELEASE: https://t.co/ThNSiRNQT3 pic.twitter.com/u1jJYcmWse

— Thomas More Society (@ThomasMoreSoc) July 2, 2024

Vaughn, the father of 11 children, praised his attorneys and said they will “appeal to have this unlawful use of the law overturned.”

“We must stand and fight for what is right, we cannot bow down to the lie,” he said in a statement. “Laws have to be grounded in truth, they have to align with the ultimate law giver, who is Christ our Lord. The false narratives plaguing our nation will fall when we stand up to them. That is what this case is about.”

Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s civil rights division, said after the jury’s verdict that the defendants “are being held accountable for unlawfully obstructing access to reproductive health services.”

“The Justice Department will continue to enforce the FACE Act to protect the rights of those who provide and those who seek access to such services,’ she said.

In Tennessee, Carafem no longer offers abortions under a 2022 state law that bans most abortions, with exceptions to save the life of the mother or protect her physical health, or in cases where the fetus is not expected to survive.