Gabriella Oropesa, a resident of Cooper City, Florida, has been found guilty for her involvement in a conspiracy aimed at intimidating employees of pro-life pregnancy help centers. The conspiracy sought to prevent these centers from providing and seeking to provide reproductive health services. Her co-conspirators, Caleb Freestone, Amber Stewart-Smith, and Annarella Rivera, had previously pleaded guilty.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that between May 2022 and July 2022, Oropesa along with her accomplices targeted several pro-life pregnancy help centers across Florida. The group vandalized these facilities under the cover of darkness while wearing masks and dark clothing to hide their identities. They spray-painted threatening messages such as “If abortions aren’t safe than niether [sic] are you,” “YOUR TIME IS UP!!,” “WE’RE COMING for U” and “We are everywhere.”
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated: “The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act is clear: no one should have to face threats and intimidation just for doing their job.” She emphasized the Justice Department's commitment to ensuring access to reproductive health services, including both abortion and counseling on alternatives.
U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida reiterated federal protection for providers offering reproductive health care: “Threats of violence against pregnancy resource centers or those exercising their rights to care will not be tolerated.”
Oropesa is scheduled for sentencing on March 19, 2025. She could face up to 10 years in prison based on the conspiracy charge. A federal district court judge will determine her sentence after reviewing relevant guidelines and statutory factors.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Tampa Field Office with support from local law enforcement agencies including Polk County Sheriff’s Office and police departments in Winter Haven, Hialeah, and Hollywood.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Derry from the Middle District of Florida alongside Trial Attorney Laura-Kate Bernstein from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Individuals with information about similar incidents targeting reproductive health service providers or facilities are encouraged to report it to the FBI through www.tips.fbi.gov. Further details on clinic violence prevention can be found at www.justice.gov/crt/national-task-force-violence-against-reproductive-health-care-providers.