CHARLOTTE — Heather Morrow and William Donovan Stanley face four federal misdemeanor charges each as their joint trial began in federal court following an immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte.
Prosecutors allege the two defendants obstructed the entrance to a federal facility and ignored commands from officers during a protest.
The charges stem from an incident during Operation Charlotte’s Web, a week-long enforcement campaign conducted in November by federal authorities.
Defense attorneys and supporters have called for the case to be dropped, citing missing video evidence that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to preserve.
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Federal prosecutors allege Stanley punched a federal officer’s car and resisted arrest during the November protest outside the Department of Homeland Security office.
Prosecutors further contend that Morrow attempted to jump on the officer’s back. According to the prosecution, both individuals violated four rules regarding conduct on federal property and interactions with federal personnel.
Xavier T. de Janon, an attorney representing Morrow, argued that key evidence was mishandled prior to the trial.
De Janon noted that while civilian video of the incident has circulated publicly, official footage was lost.
“In the previous hearing, it was established that the FBI requested that some video be preserved and that ICE failed to preserve it. And the civilian video has gone around media, gone around the public,” de Janon said.
He also pointed out discrepancies between the arresting officer’s written report and video footage of the event, adding that Morrow remains hopeful despite the proceedings.
“I think she’s nervous. Every criminal defendant facing federal prosecution has the right to be nervous. But she’s hopeful,” de Janon said.
Demonstrators gathered outside the federal courthouse in uptown Charlotte as the joint trial got underway. Christa Lineberger, mobilization director for Indivisible Charlotte, spoke out in support of the defendants during the demonstration.
“They were just exercising their right to free speech; it could happen to any of us. So when it’s not honored, if our constitution isn’t honored for one person, then where will it stop?” Lineberger said.
The arrests occurred during a broader week-long immigration enforcement effort known as Operation Charlotte’s Web.
The Department of Homeland Security initially reported that officers detained 370 people during the operation.
In December, federal officials updated the total count of detained individuals to 425.
The prosecution’s case is scheduled to resume tomorrow with testimony from two additional witnesses.
Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s witness presentations, the defense will begin calling its witnesses to the stand.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
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