FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
MONDAY, JUNE 24, 1996                              (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888


   ALBUQUERQUE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO VIOLATING FREEDOM OF ACCESS
                     TO CLINIC ENTRANCES ACT

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A New Mexico man who padlocked the main
entrance of an Albuquerque women's health clinic and set it on fire
early last year pleaded guilty today to violating a federal law
ensuring access to reproductive health services.
     Ricky Lee McDonald of Albuquerque pleaded guilty today in U.S.
District Court in Albuquerque to malicious destruction of a
building by fire, and violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic
Entrances Act (FACE) by interfering with access to reproductive
health services.
     McDonald is the first person in New Mexico to face charges
under the clinic protection law.
     McDonald admitted to chaining and padlocking the Reproductive
Health Services Clinic at 120 Vassar SE, in Albuquerque on January
4, 1995.  Then on February 24, 1995, McDonald set fire to the
clinic's main entrance door.  He was arrested that day and has been
in federal custody since that time.  
     "The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, as clinic security task force members,
have proven that they are combating any individuals who would
disregard the Freedom of Access to Entrances Act," said John J.
Kelly, U.S. Attorney in Albuquerque.  "My office will not tolerate
such violence and intimidation directed against the reproductive
health clinics in New Mexico and I will assure the prompt
prosecution of any individual who violates this law."       U.S.
Magistrate William Deaton found McDonald competent to stand trial
after granting his counsel's request that he undergo an evaluation
to make that determination.
     "Congress passed the clinic entrance law to protect women's
constitutional rights to reproductive health services," said
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Deval L. Patrick. 
"Today's action marks our continued effort to enforce this law and
to ensure that women have access to medical services free of
harassment and intimidation."
     The maximum penalty for the non-violent physical obstruction
of a reproductive health clinic is six months imprisonment and a
$50,000 fine.  The maximum penalty for the malicious 
destruction of building by means of fire is 20 years imprisonment
and a $250,000 fine.
     The Justice Department has brought 13 criminal cases and 9
civil cases under FACE, which was signed into law by President
Clinton in May 1994.
     The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in
coordination with the Albuquerque Police Department.  It was
prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine McCulloch.
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