In a recent development captured on a Ring doorbell camera, two FBI agents, Ashley Roberts and Kathleen Brown, were seen visiting the childhood residence of Elise Ketch, a member of the Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising (PAAU).
The FBI agents reportedly visited the Woodbridge, Virginia house at approximately 2:45 PM on April 18, where they spoke to Ketchs mother, Tracy. Elise Ketch no longer resides in the house, however, the agents were seeking her.
"We just need to speak with her regarding some information that was sent to us," Roberts articulated in the video, assuring Tracy Ketch that her daughter was not in any legal trouble, but they had questions concerning some information they needed to ask her.
In the video, Tracy Ketch requested to take pictures of their badges, a request the agents denied. "Unfortunately, were not allowed to have anyone take our pictures," Roberts responded. Upon being asked the reason for their visit, the FBI agent chose not to reveal any details.
"We would tell you all the information because, like I said, shes not in any trouble, but just out of respect for her, wed like to speak with her first," she explained.
The footage also revealed Tracy Ketch contacting her daughter to inform her about the unexpected visitors. "Mom, dont tell them anything," was the response from Elise Ketch.
In a statement given to The Daily Signal, Ketch expressed her confusion over the FBI's sudden appearance at her mother's residence, stating that she was unsure about the information that had led the agents to her doorstep. However, she did speculate about some possibilities.
"My colleague at Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising, Lauren Handy, is indicted under the Freedom of Access Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and is being prosecuted by the federal government. Its plausible that these FBI agents aimed to collect information from me to help build their case against her," Ketch stated.
Ketch further hinted at the possibility that her pro-life activism may have led the FBI to perceive her as a potential threat, suggesting that the visit was possibly intended to investigate her. Nonetheless, she claimed there had been no follow-ups from the FBI to either her or her attorney, leading her to believe that the actual motive behind the visit might have been to intimidate her and her team.
Elise Ketch became a part of the PAAU in December after a stint of volunteering for the organization. Her involvement with the group led to her arrest alongside other activists in March for obstructing traffic during a protest in front of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.
The demonstration was sparked by the discovery of the bodies of five unborn fetuses in a medical waste bin outside Washington SurgiClinic, a clinic known to provide abortion services, one year earlier.
Despite the apparent threat to her familys safety, Ketch resolutely stated, "I refuse to back down." She accused the government institutions of favoring the abortion industry and vowed to disrupt such unjust power structures.
"The most prevalent domestic threat to our country is the murder of thousands of preborn people by abortion each day. It is not terrorism to nonviolently intervene and rescue these powerless children before their slaughter. Im willing to risk my own freedom and sacrifice my rights in order to secure theirs," Ketch declared.
This development follows the contentious arrest of another pro-life activist, author Mark Houck, in front of his family outside their Pennsylvania home in September. His wife and lawyer described the scene, stating that roughly 25 uniformed agents with firearms apprehended Houck, leading him away in shackles.
The arrest purportedly stemmed from a confrontation between Houck and a Planned Parenthood escort in October 2021. Although the incident was confirmed by the Philadelphia Police Department, it did not lead to Houck's immediate arrest. However, in May 2022, the Justice Department notified Houck of an ongoing investigation into potential violations of the FACE Act tied to the incident.
Ketchs engagement in pro-life activism has been noticeable and vocal. She started collaborating with PAAU in December and had earlier volunteered for them. Her activism led to her arrest alongside other pro-life advocates in March for impeding traffic during a protest organized in front of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. The protest was spurred by the distressing discovery of five unborn fetuses in a medical waste bin outside the Washington SurgiClinic, an abortion-providing clinic, the previous year.
Despite expressing concern for her familys safety following the FBI's visit, Ketch remained resolute, saying, "I refuse to back down." She criticized the government institutions, accusing them of protecting the abortion industry and promised to disrupt these unjust power structures.
"The most prevalent domestic threat to our country is the murder of thousands of preborn people by abortion each day. It is not terrorism to nonviolently intervene and rescue these powerless children before their slaughter. Im willing to risk my own freedom and sacrifice my rights in order to secure theirs," Ketch firmly stated.
While Ketchs statements showcase her unwavering dedication to her cause, they also raise questions regarding the FBIs motives behind visiting her mothers residence. Was it to gather information for a federal case against a colleague, or was it an act of intimidation against Ketch and her team? The FBI's refusal to comment on the matter when approached by Fox News Digital only adds to the cloud of mystery surrounding their intentions.
This incident comes in the wake of the controversial arrest of fellow pro-life activist and author Mark Houck. The arrest, which took place outside his Pennsylvania home in front of his wife and seven children, was described by his wife and attorney as involving around 25 armed uniformed agents who led Houck away in shackles.
The law enforcement action was reported to have its roots in an altercation Houck had with a Planned Parenthood escort in October 2021. While confirmed by the Philadelphia Police Department, the incident did not result in an immediate arrest for Houck. Nonetheless, by May 2022, he received notification from the Justice Department of an investigation into possible violations of the FACE Act.
As the stories of Ketch and Houck demonstrate, the road for pro-life activists is proving to be fraught with challenges. Nevertheless, both activists have remained steadfast in their mission, asserting their readiness to face any risks that may come with their advocacy for the rights of the unborn.t
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