The Department of Justice (DOJ) under President Joe Biden is reportedly offering a “sweetheart plea deal” to a transgender suspect who vandalized a Catholic Church in Bellevue, Washington.
The DOJ is recommending zero jail time for Maeve Nota, who admitted to vandalizing St. Louise Catholic Church last summer following the overturning of Roe v Wade. Nota, described by Fox News as a “31-year-old transgender individual,” vandalized the church by smashing two glass doors with rocks and spray painting messages on its outside walls, including derogatory messages against Catholics.
During the incident, a church staff member was also assaulted when they tried to chase Nota off the property.
Officers arrested a 31yo Bellevue resident on suspicion off a hate crime and assault after allegedly spray painting St. Louise Parish, smashing two doors and assaulting an employee. The suspect was arrested without incident. pic.twitter.com/1UsDavNx08
— Bellevue, WA Police (@BvuePD) June 28, 2022
When police officers located Nota, the suspect used a backpack full of spray paint cans to smash the police window.
Police noted that Nota appeared intoxicated during the arrest. Nota was said to have been angry about the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade the week before the vandalism took place.
According to court filings viewed by Fox News, the DOJ charged Nota with the destruction of religious property, a misdemeanor that can carry up to one year in prison and $100,000 in fines.
However, the plea agreement between the DOJ, Nota, and Nota’s attorneys revealed that the department will not be recommending jail time. Instead, the DOJ is recommending three years of probation at Nota’s June 2 sentencing.
The recommendation of zero jail time for Nota stands in sharp contrast to the Biden administration’s handling of the case against pro-life activist Mark Houck, who was raided by the FBI in connection to his alleged assault of a Planned Parenthood escort. The DOJ sought 11 years in prison for Houck, who was charged with violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. A jury acquitted Houck of all charges in January.
Some conservative groups are criticizing the Biden administration’s plea deal, claiming that the DOJ has politicized and weaponized the FACE Act to go after pro-life Christians while turning a blind eye to violent felons.
Mike Davis, founder of the Article III Project, stated, “The Biden Justice Department tried to put Houck in prison for 11 years for defending his son while recommending no jail time for Nota after this deranged trans terrorist badly damaged a Catholic church, fought with the police, assaulted a church employee, and scared the hell out of a little old lady praying.”
