President Biden’s Justice Department has come under fire for offering what critics describe as a sweetheart plea deal to Maeve Nota, a 31-year-old transgender individual who admitted to vandalizing the St. Louise Catholic Church in Bellevue, Washington, assaulting a church worker, and resisting arrest.
The plea agreement, reviewed by Fox News Digital, recommends no jail time for Nota.
The case has drawn attention to the Biden administration’s perceived double standard in dealing with pro-life protesters outside abortion clinics.
In June last year, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Nota damaged the church by smashing two glass doors with rocks and spray-painting its exterior walls with profane messages.
A church staff member’s face was spray-painted while trying to chase Nota away.
When police officers found Nota, they say he used a backpack full of spray paint cans to smash a police vehicle before surrendering.
Police Capt. Darryl McKinney said the $10,000 in damages would be considered a hate crime.
“It is very clear that the Biden Justice Department has politicized and weaponized the FACE Act to go after pro-life Christians praying outside of abortion clinics like Mark Houck while turning a blind eye to violent felons terrorizing and badly damaging Catholic churches like Maeve Nota,” said Mike Davis, founder of the Article III Project, speaking to Fox News Digital.
In contrast, pro-life activist Mark Houck faced 11 years in prison after the Biden administration accused him of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act by allegedly pushing a Planned Parenthood escort outside an abortion clinic.
A jury acquitted Houck, but critics argue that the administration’s approach in Nota’s case reveals a double standard.
In early March, the Justice Department charged Nota with destruction of religious property, a misdemeanor that can result in up to one year in prison and $100,000 in fines.
However, a previously unreported plea agreement between the Justice Department, Nota, and his attorney reveals that they will recommend no jail time and three years of probation at Nota’s sentencing on June 2.
Davis added, “The Biden Justice Department tried to put Houck in prison for 11 years for defending his son while recommending no jail time for Nota after this deranged trans terrorist badly damaged a Catholic church, fought with the police, assaulted a church employee, and scared the hell out of a little old lady praying.”
This case highlights the Biden administration’s seemingly disparate treatment of individuals involved in religious property vandalism and pro-life activists, raising questions about the impartiality of the Justice Department.