HOUSTON – The second anti-abortion activist involved in the undercover Planned Parenthood video turned himself in Thursday.
Ladies & gentlemen of the press awaiting 2nd anti abortion defendant in Planned Parenthood video case pic.twitter.com/d3w2LkxkH2
— Phil Archer (@KPRC2Phil) February 4, 2016
David Daleiden, who lives in California, surrendered to Harris County authorities. He is charged with tampering with governmental records and offering to buy human body parts. Sandra Merritt, who was also charged, surrendered Wednesday and is out on bond.
VIDEO: David Daleiden walking with attorneys into Harris County Courthouse. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/M1GPDXUvoI
— Brandon Walker (@KPRC2Brandon) February 4, 2016
A Harris County grand jury indicted them for their roles in the undercover Planned Parenthood video case.
A felony and misdemeanor, the charges mean the activists could face up to 20 years behind bars.
Their attorneys said it is unusual that the jury would indict witnesses, and claimed that the grounds for indictment are legally and factually insufficient. They said using a fake license didn't cause harm or defraud Planned Parenthood.
After Daleiden's surrender Thursday, he is expected to join a coalition of local, state, and national leaders outside the office of District Attorney Devon Anderson.
"I'm very grateful for all the support from the public, especially the people of Houston, who are out here to send a strong message that Houston's children and their body parts are not for sale by planned parenthood," Daleiden said.
Anti-abortion protestors gathered outside the courthouse to denounce the charges as politically motivated and a violation of the first amendment.
Texas Right to Life and other groups will also hold a press conference at which they will present 100,000 petition signatures calling for the Harris County district attorney to drop charges against Daleiden and Merritt.
A grand jury cleared Planned Parenthood of any wrongdoing.