Federal Agents Arrest Temple Student Linked to Don Lemon Minnesota Church Protest Case
Federal agents have arrested Jerome Deangelo Richardson, a 21-year-old Temple University student, in connection with an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church that has also led to charges against journalist Don Lemon. The arrest, announced Monday by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, marks the latest development in a federal crackdown following the disruption of a service at Cities Church in St. Paul.
Richardson, a senior at Temple University, turned himself in to authorities in Philadelphia. He faces federal charges including conspiracy against rights and violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The charges stem from a January 18 incident where demonstrators entered the church to protest Pastor David Easterwood, who simultaneously serves as a field director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to federal prosecutors, the protesters, including Richardson, conspired to disrupt the religious service, an act the Department of Justice argues infringes upon the congregation’s First Amendment right to worship. Attorney General Bondi emphasized the administration’s zero-tolerance policy for such disruptions, stating on social media, “If you riot in a place of worship, we WILL find you.”
However, legal observers and civil rights advocates have raised significant objections to the arrests, particularly regarding the involvement of journalists and student activists. Richardson reportedly assisted Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, with on-the-ground coordination and coverage of the event. Lemon himself was arrested in Los Angeles last week on similar charges, sparking a debate over press freedom. Defense attorneys argue that the application of the FACE Act in this context is an overreach intended to silence political dissent and penalize news gathering.
The protest at Cities Church was organized to highlight what activists call a conflict of interest regarding Pastor Easterwood’s dual role as a religious leader and an ICE enforcement official. While the Department of Justice maintains that the sanctity of the church service was violated by the chanting and presence of demonstrators, supporters of the accused assert that the actions were a legitimate form of political speech aimed at a public official. Richardson’s legal defense fund has reportedly begun gathering support as the case draws national attention to the intersection of religious rights, press freedom, and immigration policy.
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