Trouble with the Law

On October 31, 1997 Keith Henson was placed under a permanent injunction in Los Angeles for his harassment and physically violent behavior toward a Scientology parishioner. On November 1 and 26, 1997, Henson was arrested in Los Angeles for violating the restraining order that had been issued against him.

Henson was also found to have infringed upon a Scientology copyright. Following is an excerpt of the final judgment issued on May 14, 1998, against Henson by United States District Judge Ronald M. Whyte:

“Upon the decision of the court entered on April 15, 1997 granting in part and denying in part plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment and upon the unanimous verdict of the jury published on May 12, 1998, final judgment is hereby entered in favor of plaintiff Religious Technology Center and against defendant H. Keith Henson that said defendant willfully infringed plaintiff’s copyrighted work known as NOTs 34, and that said defendant shall pay to plaintiff the sum $75,000 in statutory damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504 (c). Defendant is also permanently enjoined from engaging in infringing activities as set forth in the court’s permanent injunction dated June 16, 1997 and amended order on ex parte motion for emergency relief dated April 27, 1998.”

[imgright]http://www.religiousfreedomwatch.org/extremists/images/hensoncuffs.jpg[/imgright]On June 22, 1999, Henson was found in contempt of Court by United States District Judge Ronald M. Whyte, who ruled as follows:

“On June 22, 1999 this court issued its findings of fact and conclusions of law finding defendant in civil contempt and awarding $7,500 in attorney’s fees. Therefore, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that H. Keith Henson is adjudged in civil contempt and shall pay plaintiff Religious Technology Center the sum of $7,500 towards its attorney’s fees incurred.”