Federal agents on Monday arrested Ian Davis Austin and Jerome Deangelo Richardson in connection with the Jan. 18 disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul, bringing the total charged to nine. Authorities say the suspects are expected to face conspiracy counts and violations of the FACE Act, a federal statute that bars force or intimidation to interfere with religious exercise. The Justice Department also recently arrested former CNN anchor Don Lemon and journalist Georgia Fort in related indictments — moves that have prompted renewed First Amendment concerns after a judge earlier described the initial case against Lemon as "frivolous."
Federal Authorities Arrest Two More Over St. Paul Church Storming, Bringing Total Charged To Nine
Pam Bondi, U.S. attorney general, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.(Getty Images)
Federal agents arrested two additional people Monday in connection with the Jan. 18 disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, raising the number of individuals charged to nine.
Attorney General Pam Bondi identified the newly detained suspects as Ian Davis Austin and Jerome Deangelo Richardson, saying the arrests stem from what she described as a "coordinated attack on Cities Church." Bondi said the two are expected to face the same counts as others charged in the case.
Charges and Legal Context
Federal prosecutors have charged the group with conspiracy to violate an individual's constitutional rights and alleged violations of the FACE Act, the 1994 federal law that prohibits using force, intimidation, or obstruction to intentionally "injure, intimidate, or interfere" with a person's right to religious exercise at a place of worship. FACE Act violations can carry penalties ranging from fines to prison terms depending on the conduct and other case-specific factors.
What Happened
Video from the Jan. 18 incident shows a group of anti-ICE protesters entering the church service and chanting "ICE out," interrupting the proceedings. Authorities say the disruption took place while an ICE official was serving as a pastor at Cities Church.
Don Lemon speaks to the media after a hearing at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles on January 30, 2026.
Related Arrests and First Amendment Concerns
Last Friday the Justice Department also arrested former CNN anchor Don Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort on alleged FACE Act violations tied to the same protest, according to their indictments. Both Lemon and Fort have maintained they were at the demonstration in a reporting capacity, not as participants.
"If you riot in a place of worship, we WILL find you," Bondi wrote on X.
A federal magistrate judge in Minnesota had earlier rejected the Justice Department's initial attempt to bring criminal charges against Lemon in connection with the Jan. 18 protest, calling that early effort "frivolous." The recent arrests of journalists have renewed concerns from local officials and civil liberties advocates about press protections and the scope of the FACE Act when applied to people covering demonstrations.
Reactions
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her criticized the arrests of journalists. Mayor Her said the detentions were "deeply chilling" and urged vigilance to protect First Amendment and other constitutional rights.
Investigations and prosecutions remain ongoing. The Justice Department has not released additional public details about the evidence in the newly filed charges.
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