COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Reynoldsburg, Ohio, man has been indicted on federal charges for threatening a Planned Parenthood clinic, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
Mohamed Farah Waes, 33, is charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, making threatening statements through interstate communications, and threatening to unlawfully damage and destroy a building by means of fire and explosive.
The indictment alleges that Waes called the Planned Parenthood clinic in Reynoldsburg on July 5, 2022 and threatened to burn down the facility and everyone inside it.
“Threatening the life of anyone who seeks any type of health service is a heinous act that is unacceptable in a civilized society,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker. “People must handle their disagreements with services provided by clinics in a more civil way than using the threat of force or any kind of intimidation.”
If convicted, Waes faces up to 10 years in prison for each of the FACE Act and fire and explosive charges, and up to five years in prison for the interstate communications charge.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Columbus Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Brown and Daniel Lenz.