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Oregon militia faces conspiracy charges over 'force, intimidation and threats' Oregon militia faces conspiracy charges over 'force, intimidation and threats'
(about 4 hours later)
Ammon Bundy and 15 other people tied to the armed standoff in eastern Oregon are now facing federal conspiracy charges over their alleged use of “force, intimidation, and threats” against government officials, according to a new indictment.Ammon Bundy and 15 other people tied to the armed standoff in eastern Oregon are now facing federal conspiracy charges over their alleged use of “force, intimidation, and threats” against government officials, according to a new indictment.
A federal grand jury has accused Bundy and the other militia members of preventing US Fish and Wildlife Service officers from discharging their official duties at the Malheur national wildlife refuge, which an armed group of anti-government protesters has occupied since 2 January.A federal grand jury has accused Bundy and the other militia members of preventing US Fish and Wildlife Service officers from discharging their official duties at the Malheur national wildlife refuge, which an armed group of anti-government protesters has occupied since 2 January.
The three-page indictment, which was issued on Wednesday and unsealed Thursday morning, outlines the original planning of the “conspirators” last fall to travel to rural Harney County and threaten “extreme civil unrest” if local officials did not comply with certain demands.The three-page indictment, which was issued on Wednesday and unsealed Thursday morning, outlines the original planning of the “conspirators” last fall to travel to rural Harney County and threaten “extreme civil unrest” if local officials did not comply with certain demands.
A group of armed activists, mostly from outside of Oregon, say they took over the federally-protected wildlife sanctuary to protest government land-use regulations and the imprisonment of two Oregon ranchers, Dwight Hammond and his son, Steven.A group of armed activists, mostly from outside of Oregon, say they took over the federally-protected wildlife sanctuary to protest government land-use regulations and the imprisonment of two Oregon ranchers, Dwight Hammond and his son, Steven.
Last week, FBI and state troopers arrested Bundy and a group of militia members traveling outside of the refuge on a remote highway. Officials also shot and killed occupation spokesperson LaVoy Finicum during the confrontation.Last week, FBI and state troopers arrested Bundy and a group of militia members traveling outside of the refuge on a remote highway. Officials also shot and killed occupation spokesperson LaVoy Finicum during the confrontation.
After the occupation unraveled following the arrests, only four protesters remained at the refuge.After the occupation unraveled following the arrests, only four protesters remained at the refuge.
The four holdouts – David Fry, Jeff Banta, and husband-and-wife Sean and Sandy Anderson – are included in the new federal indictment. Those four have said they refuse to leave unless they have assurances they would not face charges.The four holdouts – David Fry, Jeff Banta, and husband-and-wife Sean and Sandy Anderson – are included in the new federal indictment. Those four have said they refuse to leave unless they have assurances they would not face charges.
In an interview on Wednesday before the indictment was unsealed, Mike Arnold, Bundy’s attorney, argued that the protesters were engaged in civil disobedience.In an interview on Wednesday before the indictment was unsealed, Mike Arnold, Bundy’s attorney, argued that the protesters were engaged in civil disobedience.
“This is a case of national importance to those on the left and the right,” he said. “This should be shocking to all Americans – especially those that disagree with Ammon Bundy’s message.”“This is a case of national importance to those on the left and the right,” he said. “This should be shocking to all Americans – especially those that disagree with Ammon Bundy’s message.”
Arnold said the legal team is gathering evidence to demonstrate that the occupation was a “peaceful protest”.Arnold said the legal team is gathering evidence to demonstrate that the occupation was a “peaceful protest”.
In his latest statement released through his attorney, Bundy reiterated his request for the remaining holdouts to surrender.In his latest statement released through his attorney, Bundy reiterated his request for the remaining holdouts to surrender.
But he also remained defiant in his message against the federal government, saying that he would like to see the citizens work on “returning these lands back to the people of Harney County and the State of Oregon as prescribed in the constitution”.But he also remained defiant in his message against the federal government, saying that he would like to see the citizens work on “returning these lands back to the people of Harney County and the State of Oregon as prescribed in the constitution”.
On Thursday afternoon, Lissa Casey, another lawyer representing Bundy, played for reporters an audio recording of him from jail after he learned of the indictment.
“What are people to do? This is what you get when government officials ignore the people,” Bundy said. “Taking over the refuge was not only right, it was the duty of the people to do. When government officials are acting in contrary to the people, they must not get away with it.”
Bundy did not repeat his earlier statements urging the final occupiers to surrender, but he did criticize law enforcement officials, saying, “Go home, Oregon state police. You have already killed enough. Go home, FBI.”
The others named in the federal indictment are Jon Ritzheimer, Ryan Payne, Ryan Bundy (who is Ammon’s brother), Brian Cavalier, Jason Patrick, Joe O’shaughnessy, Duane Ehmer, Dylan Anderson and Shawna Cox.The others named in the federal indictment are Jon Ritzheimer, Ryan Payne, Ryan Bundy (who is Ammon’s brother), Brian Cavalier, Jason Patrick, Joe O’shaughnessy, Duane Ehmer, Dylan Anderson and Shawna Cox.
Cox, one of two women facing charges, was released on bail last week.Cox, one of two women facing charges, was released on bail last week.
Officials also recently added occupier Kenneth Medenbach – who was initially arrested last month for driving a stolen federal vehicle outside of the refuge – to the federal conspiracy case.Officials also recently added occupier Kenneth Medenbach – who was initially arrested last month for driving a stolen federal vehicle outside of the refuge – to the federal conspiracy case.
The grand jury has also indicted Pete Santilli, a conservative radio host and loud supporter of the Bundys who was present throughout the occupation.The grand jury has also indicted Pete Santilli, a conservative radio host and loud supporter of the Bundys who was present throughout the occupation.