Orlando, FL – Police surrounded the Orlando Women’s Center last night on a tip from pro-lifers and arrested abortionist Randall Whitney on an open arrest warrant* for failure to appear at his criminal trial that was to be held on September 7, 2010. Whitney was also charged with resisting a police officer. At this time, he is being held in the Orlando Jail without bond.
Whitney had been arrested on March 27, 2010, for felony assault on a pregnant woman after he slapped an abortion patient who complained when he repeatedly failed to properly administer an injection into her arm. (See police report*)
Upon his arrest, eyewitnesses said that Whitney threatened pro-lifers and told them they would “be sorry” for notifying the police of his whereabouts. (Read eyewitness account)
After his failure to appear has his felony criminal trial, the arrest warrant was issued for his capture. Pro-lifers who often hold vigil at the Orlando Women’s Center, noticed that Whitney had taken to sleeping in his vehicle in an apparent effort to avoid apprehension by the police.
Whitney has faced license suspension and probation in the past and has been accused of illegal late-term abortions beyond the limits set by law by improperly using ultrasound to determine fetal age. Whitney defiantly closed his Daytona Beach abortion clinic rather than comply with laws governing clinic safety.
Orlando Women’s Center is owned by the notorious abortionist James Pendergraft, who is also no stranger to legal problems. On July 6, 2010, Pendergraft had his medical license suspended for a fourth time for botched abortions, committing illegal late-term abortions, and dispensing drugs without a license.
According to Michele Herzog, the director of Orlando’s Pro-life Action Ministries, Whitney has since taken over the work load from Pendergraft, doing an estimated 75% of all abortions at Pendergraft’s five Florida abortion mills.
“We will be forwarding documents to the Florida Medical Board today asking for the emergency suspension of Whitney’s license based on unprofessional conduct and criminal activity,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.
Whitney’s arrest follows recent news of abortionists nationwide in trouble with the law, including the conviction and jailing two weeks ago of Massachusetts abortionist Rapin Osathanondh on a charge of manslaughter in the abortion death of Laura Hope Smith. Medical licenses of four other abortionists were suspended this month in Maryland and New Jersey on charges ranging from wrongful death, illegal late-term abortions, and aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine.
“The dirty truth about the unseemly side of the abortion industry is being exposed like never before and abortionists are finally beginning to be brought to justice after years of abortion abuses,” said Newman. “Whitney is by far no exception, but rather the rule when it comes to abortionists who are operating outside the law. Illegal activity by abortionists is systemic in the industry and that places lives at risk.”
Operation Rescue works to expose and report abortion abuses and is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and convictions of abortionists who are breaking the law. Click for more information about the Abortion Whistleblowers Program.
*Documents courtesy of prolifeflorida.com