Federal Prosecutors Drop Charges Against 'Broadview Six' Amid Grand Jury Misconduct

Federal prosecutors have dismissed all charges against the remaining four members of the 'Broadview Six,' a group of activists indicted after protesting outside a federal immigration facility in Broadview, Illinois. The decision follows a closed-door hearing where U.S. District Judge April Perry highlighted prosecutorial misconduct during the grand jury process.

The defendants—former congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, Oak Park village trustee Brian Straw, 45th Ward Democratic committeeperson Michael Rabbitt, and Andre Martin—were initially charged with felony conspiracy to impede an officer. These charges were later reduced to misdemeanors. The case was set for trial next week before the dismissal.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros acknowledged the misconduct, stating he was 'completely unaware' of the issues until recently. He emphasized that no prosecutor acted intentionally to mislead the court. Judge Perry expressed shock at the prosecutorial behavior, noting she had 'never seen the types of prosecutorial behavior before a grand jury that I saw in those transcripts.'

The dismissal is with prejudice, preventing future prosecution on these charges. Judge Perry indicated potential sanctions for the U.S. Attorney's Office may be considered at a later date.

This case was among the most high-profile prosecutions stemming from 'Operation Midway Blitz,' an immigration enforcement initiative launched in September 2025. The collapse of the case underscores ongoing concerns about prosecutorial conduct and the integrity of grand jury proceedings.