An anti-abortion activist from Upper Bucks County is facing federal charges for allegedly twice assaulting and injuring a Planned Parenthood volunteer.
Mark Houck, 48, of Kintersville — just south of Riegelsville — was charged by indictment with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrance Act, which makes it a federal crime to use force with intent to injure, intimidate or interfere with someone providing reproductive health care.
Houck on Friday made his first appearance in U.S. Eastern District Court in Philadelphia. Multiple published reports say Houck is a well-known anti-abortion author and sidewalk counselor.
Houck allegedly twice assaulted the 72-year-old male volunteer, who was serving as a reproductive healthcare clinic escort. The charges stem from two separate incidents both happening on Oct. 13, 2021 at the Planned Parenthood Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center in Philadelphia. In the first incident, the victim was attempting to escort two patients exiting the clinic, when Houck forcefully shoved the victim to the ground, according to court records.
In the second incident, Houck shared words with the victim before forcefully shoving him to the ground in front of the Planned Parenthood center, causing injuries to the victim that required medical attention, records state.
Republican state gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano on Saturday released a statement on Twitter in support of Houck while blasting the FBI and U.S. President Joe Biden.
“This morning, a heavily armed SWAT team of dozens of FBI agents raided the home of Mark Houck of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with his wife and terrified children inside over a case that was long thrown out by the District Court in Philadelphia. Mark and Ryan-Marie Houck’s seven children were traumatized and in tears as they witnessed their parents held at gunpoint and their father hauled away in handcuffs,” the statement read.
If convicted, Houck faces a maximum possible sentence of 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and up to $350,000 in fines. The case was investigated by the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anita Eve and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division.
Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Ad Choices