The Justice Department has indicted 30 additional protesters connected to the January church disruption in St. Paul, Minnesota, bringing the total defendants to 39, including former CNN journalist Don Lemon, who now faces up to 10 years in prison and a civil lawsuit from a traumatized churchgoer.

Federal Charges Expand Beyond Original Nine

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced federal agents arrested 25 of the newly indicted individuals following the January 18 protest at City Church. Demonstrators targeted the congregation after alleging the pastor worked for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A grand jury charged Lemon with conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship and interfering with that right, despite an earlier magistrate judge ruling that found no probable cause under the statute initially cited.

Prosecutors argue Lemon crossed from journalist to participant by attending a pre-operation briefing where logistics were discussed. According to the indictment, he told his audience that the goal was to make the experience traumatic and uncomfortable for congregants. The DOJ alleges he warned others not to reveal planning details beforehand, demonstrating operational involvement rather than independent reporting. Lemon pleaded not guilty and claims the prosecution threatens journalism itself.

Churchgoer Files Civil Lawsuit for Emotional Distress

Minnesota resident Ann Doucette filed a separate civil suit alleging the disruption caused severe emotional distress and violated her right to practice religion. Her complaint accuses Lemon of coordinating with demonstrators, livestreaming the incident, and appearing to take satisfaction in the chaos. The lawsuit amount remains undisclosed, but Doucette seeks damages for interference with her constitutional religious freedoms on private church property.

Historic Legal Precedent Shifts Federal Response

The case differs sharply from the 1989 Stop the Church protest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, where activists disrupted Mass and desecrated communion wafers but faced only local trespassing and disorderly conduct charges resulting in community service. The Justice Department now deploys the Conspiracy Against Rights statute, enacted in 1870, to prevent coordinated efforts depriving citizens of constitutional rights, including worship. Combined with the FACE Act protecting houses of worship, prosecutors focus on whether Lemon helped organize timing and execution rather than simply covering events. The central legal question examines whether press credentials shield participation in planning disruptions that violate another person’s First Amendment right to practice religion on private property.