United States of America v. Gallagher, et al.

Thomas More Society is defending Paul Vaughn, a pro-life father of 11, charged by the Biden Department of Justice with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and participating in a “conspiracy against rights.” Together, these charges carry a sentence of up to 11 years. Paul and five other pro-lifers were put on trial for these federal charges in Nashville, Tennessee. Altogether, 10 pro-life advocates are charged with violating the FACE Act for the “rescue” that took place in March 2021 at a Mt. Juliet, Tennessee abortion center. On January 30, 2024, Paul and his five co-defendants were found guilty of all counts.

In March 2021, a group of pro-lifers gathered peacefully at a Mt. Juliet, Tennessee abortion center to pray, sing hymns, worship, and counsel women. This “rescue” was entirely peaceful. It resulted in the arrest of several adults and minors for criminal trespass. Paul, however, was never arrested for trespass.

Nevertheless, the Biden DOJ indicted Paul on federal charges. In October 2022—more than a year and a half after the rescue—the FBI raided Paul’s home at gunpoint in front of his wife and young children. “Paul Vaughn’s arrest in front of his wife and seven of his children, including the 18-month child she was holding, followed by his indictment on federal charges, is yet another attempt on the part of the Biden Department of Justice to frighten and intimidate Christians and committed life advocates,” explained Senior Counsel Steve Crampton.

The Biden DOJ claims that Paul Vaughn, the President of Personhood Tennessee, participated in a “conspiracy against rights secured by the FACE Act” as well as of violating the FACE Act itself, even though he never obstructed anyone and was entirely peaceful. According to the police negotiator, who testified during the trial, Paul was peaceful and helpful throughout the pro-life gathering.
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The case went to a jury trial in January 2023, with Paul and the five co-defendants ultimately being found guilty of the Biden DOJ’s charges.

· At trial, prosecutors presented an abortion business employee who claimed to be “trapped inside the building during the incident,” despite video that showed traffic clearly passing down the hallway to and from the abortion venue.

· The prosecution relied heavily on a primary witness, Caroline Davis, who participated in and was arrested for the Mt. Juliet prayer event with Vaughn, but later turned state’s evidence.

· The government attempted to paint Paul as willfully deceiving the police during the gathering at the Mt. Juliet prayer event, despite witness testimony from a police negotiator who testified that Paul had been helpful, collaborative, and peaceful.

· The government also attempted to portray Paul as intending to interfere with the operation of the Mt. Juliet facility using paper-thin evidence, and as a member of a criminal conspiracy, despite no evidence of prior knowledge of the event.

Paul and the other pro-lifers’ convictions are another in a series of high-profile FACE Act cases brought by the Biden DOJ against peaceful pro-lifers. Thomas More Society is now preparing to appeal on behalf of Paul Vaughn.

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