FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1995                            (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
        NEW MEXICO MAN INDICTED FOR TRYING TO BURN DOWN
               ALBUQUERQUE WOMEN'S HEALTH CLINIC
     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A federal grand jury today indicted a
New Mexico man for using chains, padlocks, and a burning shopping
cart in four separate efforts to shut down a women's health
clinic in Albuquerque in which abortions are performed.
     The Justice Department said the case was the eighth brought
under a federal law enacted last year to protect access to
clinics.
     Under the law, known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic
Entrances Act (FACE), the Justice Department can prosecute people
who use force, threat of force or physical obstruction to block
health clinics or harm health care providers or patients. 
     The indictment, returned today in Albuquerque, alleged that
on January 14, Ricky Lee McDonald set fire to the main entrance
of the building that houses the Abortion and Reproductive Health
Services Clinic.  On February 24, he allegedly wheeled a shopping
cart filled with flammable materials into the front of the
building and set it afire.  The indictment also alleged that
McDonald chained and padlocked the main entrance to the building
on January 2 and 4.
     No persons were physically harmed in the incidents. 
     "Congress passed the clinic access law to protect women's
constitutional rights to reproductive health services," said
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Deval L. Patrick.
"Today's case marks our continuing effort to vigorously enforce
this law and to ensure that women have access to medical services
that is free of violence and intimidation."
     Count one charged McDonald with using force or threat of
force and physical obstruction to intimidate and interfere with
clinic employees in the January 2 incident.  Count two alleged he
used the same techniques to interfere with employees as well as
patients during the January 4 incident.  Counts three and four
charged McDonald with setting a fire on January 14 and one on
February 24 at the main entrance with the intention of damaging
the facility.  Counts five and six charged McDonald with using
fire to damage a building used in interstate commerce.
     "Women in New Mexico are entitled to receive services, and
their health care providers should be able to render services
free of fear and intimidation, " said the U.S. Attorney for New
Mexico John J. Kelly.
     If convicted, McDonald faces maximum prison terms up to
eighteen months and a fine up to $100,000 for each alleged FACE
violation and imprisonment for up to ten years and a fine for
each of the two non-FACE violations involving the use of fire.   
     Prior to today's indictment, the Justice Department brought
three criminal actions under FACE.  In October 1994, Paul Hill
was convicted and later sentenced under federal law to two life
terms in prison for murdering a Pensacola doctor.  He was
subsequently sentenced to death following his state conviction. 
In November, a federal court convicted six individuals who
blocked the entrance to a Milwaukee clinic.  A separate case
involving the physical obstruction of a second women's health
clinic in Milwaukee is scheduled for trial later this month.
     The Justice Department also has brought four civil actions
under FACE.  In December 1994, it asked permission to enter into
an existing private civil suit against eight individuals who
blocked the entrance to one of the Milwaukee clinics.  In
January, a federal court in Kansas City, Missouri issued a
restraining order against a woman who threatened clinic personnel
and clients.  Later that month, the Department filed civil suit
in Fargo, N.D. against several individuals who blocked a clinic
entrance.  Last month, it obtained a preliminary injunction
against an Ohio man for threatening a doctor and his family. 
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95-134