Florida resident Gabriella Oropesa of Cooper City was convicted for participating in a scheme to “injure, oppress, threaten or intimidate” the employees of numerous pro-life pregnancy centers. The charges include Ms. Oropesa’s attempts to thwart “the free exercise of the right to provide and seek to provide reproductive health services.”

Federal law Title 18, U.S.C., Section 241 states that it is illegal “for two or more people to go in disguise to prevent or hinder someone from exercising their rights.”

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida said that threats will not be tolerated by anyone targeting reproductive health care facilities.

“Federal law protects providers who render reproductive health care and those who seek their services,” Mr. Handberg.“Threats of violence against pregnancy resource centers or those exercising their rights to care will not be tolerated.”

“The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act is clear: no one should have to face threats and intimidation just for doing their job," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement. "The Justice Department will continue to ensure access to the full spectrum of reproductive health services afforded to the public, whether those services include abortion or counseling on alternatives to abortion.”

Ms. Oropesa worked with co-conspirators, who were also found guilty of targeting reproductive health facilities, specifically those that offer services and/or counseling alternatives to abortion.

Ms. Oropesa’s co-conspirators, including Caleb Freestone, Amber Smith-Stewart and Annarella Rivera, pled guilty earlier in June. This prior trial detailed that the conspiracy occurred between May and July 2022. Ms. Freestone, Ms. Smith-Stewart and Ms. Rivera teamed up to target pro-life pregnancy centers in Florida. During their nighttime attacks, the three defendants were disguised in masks. According to court documents, the three defendants “spray painted the facilities with threatening messages, including “If abortions aren’t safe than niether [sic] are you,” “YOUR TIME IS UP!!,” “WE’RE COMING for U” and “We are everywhere.”

At the first hearing, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said that the actions of the defendants frightened workers at the facilities.

“These defendants vandalized pregnancy resource centers with threatening messages meant to terrify the employees of those centers,” said Ms. Clarke. “Violence and threats have no place in the national discourse about reproductive rights. The Justice Department is committed to holding accountable those who seek to interfere with access to reproductive health services in our country, without regard to the point of view of the defendants or their victims.”

Ms. Oropesa could serve up to ten years in prison for the conspiracy charge.

A hearing to determine sentencing is scheduled for March 19, 2025.