FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—April 9, 2021
Contact: Scott Alonso, 925-536-8110 cell
[email protected]
Private Security Guards Charged with Battery & Illegal Possession of Tear Gas
Martinez, Calif. – The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed misdemeanors against two private security guards for the alleged altercation outside the Walnut Creek Planned Parenthood clinic. Specifically, defendants Ishatpal Momi (27-year-old resident of Elk Grove) and Peter Reeves (45-year-old resident of Sacramento) are each charged with battery and illegal possession of tear gas. Both defendants were armed with their respective firearms and carrying large canisters of pepper spray.
On October 13, 2020, members of the group 40 Days for Life were protesting outside the Planned Parenthood clinic. Individuals were also gathered outside to support Planned Parenthood. Momi and Reeves were hired to provide security on behalf of 40 Days for Life.
During the late morning of October 13, an altercation ensued outside the clinic and as a result Momi and Reeves deployed their pepper spray canister against members of the opposing group. Hours later that same day, additional individuals arrived on scene and the security guards deployed their pepper spray again against the other victims. In total, four individuals were impacted by the pepper spray during October 13.
The canisters of pepper spray used by the private security guards were too large and against state law. State law only allows canisters of 2.5 ounces or smaller to be carried or used legally.
The case was reviewed and filed by Senior Deputy District Attorney Simon O’Connell. The defendants will be sent a notice to appear for their arraignment.
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