Innocent Woman Cleared: Judge Permanently Drops Federal Charges in Cities Church Protest Mistaken Identity Case

Federal Judge Permanently Dismisses Charges Against Woman Wrongly Accused in Cities Church Anti ICE Protest

A federal judge has permanently dismissed all charges against Heather Denae Lewis, a 50 year old Brooklyn Park, Minnesota woman who was falsely accused of participating in the January 18 protest that stormed a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul.

The dismissal, issued Friday, March 21, was granted with prejudice, meaning prosecutors can never refile the charges against her. Lewis was an engineer with no history of activism who was swept up in the investigation based on a case of mistaken identity.

According to her attorney, Brock Hunter, investigators had relied on cellphone location data and video footage from the protest scene. They compared Lewis's driver's license photo to footage from the demonstration and concluded she resembled a participant. In reality, Lewis had been in a nearby parking lot that morning to pick up items from an auction, placing her near the gathering point but not inside the church.

I am glad this simple case of mistaken identity is finally coming to an end for me, and I am happy that my family no longer has to worry that I could be arrested again at any moment.

Lewis made the statement after the ruling was handed down. A magistrate judge noted that the government produced no evidence linking Lewis to the protest and that prosecutors had failed to meet their discovery obligations.

The January 18 protest targeted Pastor David Easterwood, who serves dual roles as a pastor at Cities Church and acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in St. Paul. Protesters chanted "ICE Out!" and "Stand up, fight back!" during the Sunday worship service.

A civil lawsuit filed by Cities Church member Ann Doucette alleges that protesters called congregants "Nazis" and told children their parents would "burn in hell." Doucette reported suffering insomnia and anxiety following the disruption.

Cases against the remaining 38 defendants, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, independent journalist Georgia Fort, activist William Kelly, and St. Paul school board member Chantyll Allen, continue under charges related to the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act).

Mistaken Identity Leads to Permanent Dismissal of Federal Charges in Minnesota Church Protest Case

The case highlights serious concerns about the government's reliance on surveillance technology and facial comparison in building federal cases. Lewis, a working professional with no ties to any activist organization, spent months under the threat of federal prosecution simply because she happened to be in a nearby parking lot on the morning of the protest.

Hunter stated that the government's failure to verify its evidence before pressing charges caused unnecessary distress to Lewis and her family. The with prejudice dismissal ensures this chapter is permanently closed for her.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let this sink in: an innocent woman, a Christian and an engineer, was dragged through the federal legal system because the government couldn't be bothered to verify its own evidence. Meanwhile, the actual mob that terrorized a church congregation, screamed at children, and called worshippers "Nazis" still has 38 members walking around with their cases dragging on for months. This is what happens when the state uses the same lazy tactics against innocent bystanders that it should be deploying with full force against those who actually violated the sanctity of a house of God. A church is not a protest venue. A Sunday service is sacred. The real criminals told children their parents would burn in hell. Where is the urgency for those cases?

Take Action

• Pray for Heather Denae Lewis and her family as they recover from months of wrongful legal persecution. Pray also for the congregation of Cities Church as the legal proceedings continue.
• Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators to demand oversight of federal surveillance practices that led to an innocent woman being charged. Find your representatives at congress.gov.
• Support Cities Church directly by visiting their website at citieschurch.com and reaching out to their congregation with encouragement.
• Donate to www.TheShepherdsShield.org to help protect persecuted Christians and support legal defense for churches targeted by activists.
• Share this story on social media using #CitiesChurchProtest and #ProtectOurChurches to raise awareness about the harassment of Christian congregations and the wrongful prosecution of innocent people.