Trooper Accused of Detaining Pair Going to Abortion Clinic

SEATTLE — A state trooper accused of giving a couple a lecture against abortion after pulling them over for speeding on their way to a clinic was charged Thursday with unlawful imprisonment and official misconduct.

Lane W. Jackstadt, 34, stopped Deanna Thomas, 18, and Justin Cooper, 20, for speeding on July 27. The couple said Jackstadt then held them against their will for about 45 minutes and led them to a church-run counseling session after learning they were on their way to an abortion appointment.

Jackstadt told the couple he was a devout Christian and sternly lectured Thomas against having an abortion, prosecutors said.

The trooper also allegedly told the couple he could hold them there on the shoulder of Interstate 90 east of Seattle to make sure they missed their appointment at the Planned Parenthood clinic in suburban Kirkland.

Jackstadt said “he would see what he could do about taking care of the speeding ticket if they would agree to come with him to meet with the people from his church,” prosecutors said in court papers.

After Jackstadt led them to the counseling session, the couple left. The woman later had an abortion.