Santa Ana, CA (LifeNews.com) -- A California abortion practitioner was arrested on Saturday after allegedly assaulting a pro-life advocate who wanted to take pictures of him. The incident involves abortion practitioner Howard Pfupajena, who went to work at the Clinica Medica Para La Mujer abortion center that has been in trouble with the law.

The pro-life advocate, a man named Tim who doesn't want his full name released to the public, was first shoved, then battered, punched and choked by Pfupajena as he attempted to take photographs of him.

Tim sustained lacerations and muscle pain that impaired his ability to conduct his normal activities as a result of the attack.

Tim decided to go to the Clinica Medica Para La Mujer abortion center because it had been in the news after owner Bertha Bugarin was arrested for doing abortions without a license.

When Pfupajena entered the building on Saturday morning, Tim tried to take pictures but Pfupajena covered his head with his lab coat and told Tim that he had no right to photograph him.

Tim later asked a police officer ticketing a nearby vehicle if he had the right to take pictures and received confirmation he could. Tim then decided to wait until Pfupajena left for the day to try to get a better photograph.

At the end of the day, Tim noticed Pfupajena heading for his vehicle, and positioned himself on the public sidewalk to photograph him as he was about to drive away.

Pfupajena exited his vehicle and attempted to forcibly remove the camera from Tim's possession. The camera fell to the ground and Pfupajena stomped on it repeatedly.

Tim reached for the camera and, as he did, the attack intensified.

"He got me to the ground and, seeking to jar the camera loose from my hand, was hitting me and, not finding success, he put his knee in my throat and was choking me," Tim told the pro-life group Operation Rescue about the ordeal.

"At this point I began to yell for help and for someone to call the police," he said.

Police arrested Pfupajena, 66, for assault and battery and cited him on the charges and released him. The District Attorney will review the case and determine if the charges should officially be filed.

Operation Rescue told LifeNews.com that a check it performed on Pfupajena's medical license does not show any previous disciplinary action.

Operation Rescue's president Troy Newman told LifeNews.com that, "Pfupajena obviously has something to hide for him to have reacted so violently. This abortionist is a danger to the public, and should have his license revoked."

The Clinica Medica chain of abortion centers made headlines with Bertha Bugarin was charged in two separate counties for doing abortions without a license.

Another abortion practitioner who works for the abortion business, Laurence Reich, was also arrested earlier this year after a police investigation revealed he did abortions even though his medical license had been revoked last year after a second conviction of having sexually molested or raped several of his abortion patients.

 

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