Ryan-Marie Houck, wife of pro-life activist Mark Houck, is seeking damages from the Department of Justice, alleging that a Sept. 2022 FBI raid on her home caused her to suffer multiple miscarriages.
At least 15 agents stormed Houck’s home while pointing their weapons at the 48-year-old, his wife and seven children in Oct. 2022, according to his wife. His children allegedly begged the agents not to arrest their father as the FBI raided the house in the early morning hours.
A Pennsylvania federal grand jury indicted Houck allegedly assaulting an abortion clinic volunteer, Bruce Love, in Philadelphia, with prosecutors claiming that Houck violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act by using “force with the intent to injure, intimidate, and interfere with anyone because that person is a provider of reproductive health care.” Houck, who pleaded not guilty to the charges in September, contends he was defending his 12-year-old son from verbal harassment and that he pushed away Love in the process. Houck was acquitted of federal charges in January and announced a congressional run in August. (RELATED: Mark Houck Announces Run For Congress)
Mrs. Houck’s lawsuit, filed Wednesday, seeks $3.25 million in damages for herself and her children, after the ordeal which reportedly led to the loss of three of the couple’s unborn children as well as a diagnosis of infertility. The family’s children — Mark Jr., Ava Marie, Kathryn, Therese, Joshua, Augustine and Imelda — also suffered severe trauma and anxiety in the aftermath of the arrest, as media and federal law enforcement painted Houck as a violent terrorist, per the lawsuit.
As a father & husband, I understand the importance of protecting family values. In Congress, I’ll work tirelessly to support policies that strengthen & preserve the family unit. Let’s ensure a brighter future for our children and grandchildren. #ProtectFamilies #HouckforCongress pic.twitter.com/5fOIhaz0WB
— Mark Houck for Congress (@Houck4Congress) November 6, 2023
FBI agents knew that pulling guns on Houck and his family was “excessive force,” according to the claim, as Houck did not commit a violent crime and had no criminal history. The agents also inflicted “emotional distress” on the family when they continued to point their weapons at Mrs. Houck and her children event after her husband stepped outside voluntarily and submitted to arrest, per the court document.
“Unannounced guests or visitors also trigger an emotional response,” the claim reads. “[Mrs. Houck] had a panic attack when a surprise visitor showed up at the home even though the person did not pose an actual threat. She lives in a constant state of fear that someone will invade their home. This anxiety ultimately led the family to install a gate at the entrance of their property and security cameras to feel more secure in their own home.”
Houck Ryan Marie Claim FINAL by Sarah Weaver on Scribd
Shawn Carney, CEO of 40 Days for Life, said in a statement provided to the Caller that the lawsuit represents a fight for “our most essential freedoms.”
“For years, 40 Days for Life has maintained a cooperative relationship with the fine men and women at the DOJ and FBI,” Carney said. “The dynamic shifted dramatically following the reversal of Roe v. Wade. With 40 Days for Life’s success in shuttering abortion clinics, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the only method left for those opposed to our mission is an untenable one: to silence 40 Days for Life by undermining the very fabric of free speech in the United States.”
“This is more than just a lawsuit; it’s a resounding declaration that the era of targeting individuals for their pro-life stance is over,” he continued. “Mark Houck’s home was besieged at gunpoint—an appalling show of force that was completely unwarranted. The local authorities saw no crime, yet the DOJ sought to make an example of him.”