Welcome to Arrest Stories. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles in connection with his coverage of an anti-immigration protest that disrupted a Minnesota church service. Here's what may have happened.
On January thirtieth, twenty twenty-six, fifty-nine-year-old Don Lemon was taken into custody by FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents in Beverly Hills at approximately midnight. The arrest stemmed from events that occurred twelve days earlier at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
On January eighteenth, protesters entered the church, which belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention, during services. The demonstrators interrupted the service by chanting ICE out and Justice for Renee Good. Pastor David Easterwood, who leads an ICE field office, was conducting the service when the disruption occurred.
According to court documents, Don Lemon attended a briefing by protesters ahead of the event and openly characterized the upcoming protest as one involving civil disobedience. On January eighteenth, Lemon and co-defendants gathered in a grocery store parking lot where Lemon began livestreaming. During his online show from the church, Lemon described the scene and interviewed both churchgoers and demonstrators.
The federal indictment alleges this constituted a coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. A grand jury was empaneled Thursday before Lemon's arrest. Around fifty agents came to detain the various defendants involved in the protest.
Lemon appeared in court wearing a cream-colored double-breasted suit with matching T-shirt, the same clothes he was wearing when arrested. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attended the hearing and was present in the gallery. Lemon was released on his own recognizance without posting bond.
Department of Justice officials stated: Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP. The U.S. Department of Justice acted decisively by arresting those who coordinated and carried out the terrible crime.
Lemon's legal team responded: Don has been a journalist for thirty years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done. The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.