On Wednesday, May 22, pro-life advocate and grandmother Heather Idoni, age 59, received sentencing for her participation in an October 2020 rescue action at notorious abortionist Cesare Santangelo’s Washington, D.C. abortion business. Idoni has been convicted of felony FACE Act and so-called “conspiracy against rights” violations in both Washington, D.C. and Tennessee, She will be tried in August for participation in a rescue action in Sterling Heights, Michigan, which also took place in 2020.
Idoni was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for her part in the October 2020 activism – she has already been incarcerated for nine months, which will count toward her total sentence. The activists reportedly used chains, bike locks, furniture, and their bodies in an attempt to stop abortions from being committed and to prevent police officers from removing them from the facility. These are common activism tactics used today and in decades past to peacefully demonstrate.
Like most of her co-defendants who received sentencing last week, Idoni will also be on probation for three years following her release, during which time she will be prohibited from coming within 1000 feet of any abortion facility. Unlike her co-defendants, Idoni will also be required to submit to drug testing while on probation.
Idoni has reportedly suffered poor treatment and health problems during her incarceration, including an extended period in solitary confinement during which time the lights in her cell were kept on around the clock, a subsequent stroke, and the denial of necessary medicine by jail officials. She has also reportedly been moved nine times between seven different facilities since she was incarcerated last August. During a recent pre-trial hearing in another case, Idoni was kept in shackles – as if she were a violent offender.
In spite of all of this, however, individuals who were present at Idoni’s sentencing said she appeared to be in good spirits and doing well.
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This would seem to be confirmed by the statement she gave the court. She said she had no regrets about her participation in the rescue action for which she was being sentenced, likening her feelings about the matter to those of individuals who considered it an honor to risk their lives in order to save Jews during the Holocaust.
“I realize my body will be taken and imprisoned,” Idoni reportedly told the court, “but my soul and my spirit belong to the Lord and cannot be imprisoned.”
Last week, seven other pro-life activists were sentenced including Lauren Handy, age 30, who was sentenced to 57 months with credit for time served, John Hinshaw, age 69, who was sentenced to 21 months with credit for time served, and William Goodman, age 54, who was sentenced to 27 months in prison with credit for time served. In addition, 27-year-old Herb Geraghty was sentenced to 27 months in prison, Iraq war veteran Jonathan Darnel, 42, was sentenced to 34 months in federal prison, Jean Marshall, 74, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, and Joan Andrews Bell, 76, was sentenced to 27 months in prison, each with credit for time served. Andrews Bell and Darnel will also have to complete 100 hours of community service.
The final defendant in this case, Paulette Harlow, is scheduled for sentencing on May 31.
