MS NOW has obtained the Department of Justice indictment that charges former CNN journalist Don Lemon and eight others with conspiracy against the right of religious freedom after their arrest Friday in connection with an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a Minnesota church service.
The indictment, signed by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, charges Lemon and his co-defendants with two counts of criminal conspiracy. The first charge is conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship, and the second charge is conspiracy to injure, intimidate and interfere with the exercise of religious freedom.
Prosecutors had sought to bring federal charges tied to the Jan. 18 demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which Lemon livestreamed while reporting on the event at Cities Church in St. Paul.
At the time of publication, only Jamael Lundy among the co-defendants had entered a plea. He pleaded not guilty.
Sydney Carruth is a breaking news reporter covering national politics and policy for MS NOW. You can send her tips from a non-work device on Signal at SydneyCarruth.46 or follow her work on X and Bluesky.