First Incident in Westchester; Second on Long Island
Christopher Moscinski, left, upon his release from jail in September, was arrested for the same crime again days later
By Dan Murphy
Days after serving a 90-day sentence for illegal tresspass of a Westchester health clinic in an abortion protest, Christopher Moscinski was charged on Long Island for a similar crime. Below is the release from the US Attorney, Eastern District.
On Sept. 29, ” in federal court in Central Islip, a criminal complaint was unsealed charging Christopher Moscinski with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (the “FACE Act”) for blocking access to a Planned Parenthood of Greater New York health center in Hempstead, New York that provides reproductive health services. Moscinski was arrested today and will make his initial court appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Steven I. Locke.
“The defendant attempted to prevent women from accessing their legal right to vital reproductive and pregnancy services,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office will enforce federal law to protect clinics and staff that provide reproductive health services while safeguarding the rights of their patients. I commend the local police, firefighters and bystanders who came to the health center’s aid to ensure that it could continue serving the community.
“As alleged, the defendant made repeated attempts to disrupt and deny access to a Planned Parenthood facility in violation of the FACE act. These attempts interfered with the community’s ability to seek reproductive and pregnancy health services, and today’s action should serve as a reminder of the FBI’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
As alleged in the complaint, at 6:22 a.m. on July 7, 2022, Moscinski, a Franciscan friar, arrived at the health center wearing civilian garb. He fastened several padlocks and bicycle locks to the gated entrance of the health center, rendering the entrance impassable. Some of the locks had glue poured into them. After police and fire department personnel arrived at the health center and cut the padlocks, Moscinski returned to the scene wearing a religious robe, and laid his body in front of the gate, blocking vehicles from entering the health center’s parking lot until he was arrested by officers from the Hempstead Police Department.
In 1994, Congress passed the FACE Act in response to an increase in violence toward patients and providers of reproductive health services. The FACE Act prohibits violent, threatening, damaging and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate or interfere with an individual’s right to seek, obtain or provide reproductive health services. First-time convictions of the FACE Act are misdemeanor violations punishable by up to one year in federal prison. Subsequent convictions are a felony.
Earlier this year, Moscinski and two others were found guilty in a three-day jury triel in White Plains Court of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree, a misdemeanor, for a Nov. 2021, illegal tresspass at a Women’s Health Center in White Plains where they remained unlawfully for approximately two hours. The three were sentenced on Aug. 2 to 90 days in jail.
The Facebook page of Red Rose Rescue, posted the photo above when the three were released from jail, and the following:
On Sept 14-!!!ATTENTION!!! Two of our Red Rose Rescuers, Father Fidelis and Matthew Connolly had a hearing for a different Red Rose Rescue yesterday in Nassau County. Father Fidelis and Matthew Connolly are now at Nassau County jail and have asked that they receive NO LETTERS until they find out where they will be permanently. We are still trying to find out if this is a permanent move or if they will be bussed back again to Westchester County Jail and we will let you know of any updates or new changes that occur. Until then you can still send letters to Will Goodman and as always please keep praying for our beloved rescuers!
and on Sept. 29-Hi friends of Red Rose Rescue. The Rescuers are out, they are free, and they are grateful for your prayers. They ask that you continue to pray for moms and their babies. More details will come in the following days.
Moscinski may face a larger prison sentence for this offense. His first offense in Westchester was a NY State crime. His recent arrest on Long Island is a federal crime.
