A Bowling Green State University student faces a federal charge for allegedly vandalizing a pregnancy center.
United States Attorney Rebecca Lutzko, Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Dobson,and Bowling Green Police Division Chief Tony Hetrick announced Wednesday that a federal misdemeanor under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, was filed against Whitney M. Durant, a.k.a. Soren Monroe, who is 20.
The FACE Act (18 U.S.C. § 248(a)(3)), prohibits a person from intentionally damaging or destroying the property of a facility because that facility provides reproductive health services.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, on April 15, Durant intentionally damaged the property of HerChoice, a pregnancy care center located in Bowling Green, by defacing the clinic’s building with spray paint because the clinic provides reproductive health services.
Durant is a BGSU student, according to the press release.
According to the police report at the time, various words had been spraypainted in green on the side of the Ridge Street pregnancy center, including “FAKE CLINIC” and “ABORT GOD.”
A video provided by a center employee appeared to show a female wearing a hat and surgical mask at 3:26 a.m., according to the police report.
If found guilty, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum of one year incarceration.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angelita Cruz Bridges and Dobson, who is also a special assistant U.S. attorney, following a joint investigation by the Bowling Green Police Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
