Bondi Charges Dozens In Church Takeover, Signals Broader Crackdown
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that more than two dozen additional suspects have been arrested in connection with an anti-ICE mob that stormed a Sunday worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, last month.
According to the indictment unsealed Friday, 30 additional individuals were charged with conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship and with attempting to interfere with congregants exercising their First Amendment rights. Bondi said federal agents had already arrested 25 of them, with more arrests expected.
“YOU CANNOT ATTACK A HOUSE OF WORSHIP,” Bondi wrote on X. “If you do so, you cannot hide from us — we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you. This Department of Justice STANDS for Christians and all Americans of faith.”
The January 18 incident at Cities Church allegedly involved dozens of activists who entered the church during a Sunday morning service, shouting accusations that a pastor on staff worked for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Prosecutors say the disruption quickly turned chaotic and intimidating for congregants.
Among those named in the indictment are Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen. Court documents allege that Allen and Satara Diann Strong Allen conducted reconnaissance the day before the takeover, recording video of the church and surrounding area.
Prosecutors also allege that William Scott Kelly told children inside the church that their parents were “Nazis” and would “burn in hell.” The indictment further claims that former CNN host Don Lemon physically obstructed one of the church’s exit doors while streaming the protest and questioning congregants about immigration policy.
Lemon was previously arrested in connection with the incident. Authorities say the broader sweep signals that federal prosecutors intend to pursue not just organizers, but participants accused of coordinated efforts to disrupt religious services.
The charges mark one of the most aggressive federal responses yet to activist disruptions of religious institutions, with the Justice Department signaling that similar incidents could draw comparable prosecutions moving forward.