It looks like the feds are going to throw the book at the Bundy bird refuge occupiers. And the book keeps getting bigger.
The group was already facing the charge of “conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from the refuge occupation”.
A number of them were also facing charges relating to the 2014 Bundy Ranch Standoff, including “conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, weapon use and possession, assault on a federal officer, threatening a federal law enforcement officer, obstruction, extortion to interfere with commerce, and interstate travel in aid of extortion.”
Yesterday, new charges were added against several of the defendants. Penalties for conviction on the charges range from five years to life in prison.
- Ammon Bundy: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities and use and carry of firearm in relation to a crime of violence”
- Ryan Bundy: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities, use and carry of firearm in relation to a crime of violence and theft of government property”
- Jon Ritzheimer: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities, use and carry of firearm in relation to a crime of violence and theft of government property”
- Ryan Payne: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities and use and carry of firearm in relation to a crime of violence”
- Brian Cavalier: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities and use and carry of firearm in relation to a crime of violence”
- Shawna Cox: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities”
- Jason Patrick: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities and use and carry of firearm in relation to a crime of violence”
- Dylan Anderson: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities”
- Sean Anderson: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities, use and carry of firearm in relation to a crime of violence and depredation of government property”
- David Lee Fry: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities and use and carry of firearm in relation to a crime of violence”
- Jeff Wayne Banta: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities”
- Sandra Lynn Anderson: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities”
- Kenneth Medenbach: “Theft of government property”
- Wesley Kjar: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities”
- Corey Lequieu: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities, use and carry of firearm in relation to a crime of violence”
- Jason Charles Blomgren: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities”
- Darryl William Thorn: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities”
- Geoffrey Stanek: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities”
- Travis Cox: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities”
- Eric Lee Flores: “Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities”
It’s the charge of “carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence” that carries the life sentence. Ammon and Ryan Bundy, along with seven others were charged with that offense.
Kenneth Medenbach’s theft charge stems from his taking an Agency Ford pickup. Ryan Bundy and Jon Ritzheimer stole cameras valued at more than $1,000.
I suspect they’re all starting to wish they’d simply stayed home. Our opinion? If they’d done what they’d done and been Muslims or inner city African Americans they’d all be dead as doornails now, so they should count their blessings.
If convicted – and we are all for due process, and let us state categorically they are currently innocent – then one hopes the powers-that-be will throw the proverbial book hard and accurately.
Well, This Is What I Think 
Despite your attempt to divide people once again, this time along religious and racial lines, you are wrong as this was just too high profile with far too many lenses and witnesses observing.
Far more happily, however, the feds now have a free run at the land they so coveted. I never knew that you were such an establishment man.
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I dislike people pointing guns at people trying to do a job of work.
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And I divide no one. I merely speak the simple truth, which you know to be true, even though it is inconvenient and embarrassing.
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Not so. Despite your protestations to the contrary, you are a ‘divider’ and, at times, a real hater too. I offer your blog as evidence of this, and your fb page if anybody wants any more. Your are ideologically bound.
But you can relax now on this one. Big Govt has won and they will get their grubby hands on the land and these men will not see the outside until the guilty men are long out of power and forgotten.
Well done.
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I am happy to confirm that I am ideologically bound. I hold it as an article of faith that one should not take up arms against a legitimately elected democratic government. Do you disagree?
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Stephen, you’re dealing with people who aren’t used to being held accountable in their daily lives and now are flailing around like a 6 year old girl having a temper tantrum. These thugs should have the book thrown at them.
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You might also pause and consider that there are many millions of Americans that are much more vitriolic about these idiots that I have been. The comment that follow is typical of criticism the article has received from people diametrically opposed to your perspective. I suppose if we’re offending everybody we’re doing something right.
Stop giving these nuts false credibility by calling them “protestors” and call them what they are: crybaby traitors and domestic terrorists.
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They have a legitimate protest. And don’t forget the 2nd Amendment was put there for protection of the people FROM the government.
I am proud to disagree with you and your kind on this issue
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Boy, are you ever correct that it will depend on what a jury/judge will do. I truly hope they get a textbook fair trial (because I truly believe they are guilty as sin, though at this time, of course, as you point out, they legally are not). Defendants who are Caucasian and not poor can be difficult to convict. On the other hand, there was that Holtzclaw guy in Oklahoma – it took the jury 15 minutes to read its verdicts and recommendations because there were so many separate charges – they may have charged every possible crime with relation to every separate victim – and most of them were “Not guilty,” but there were enough “Guilty” verdicts to add up to 263 years if none was served concurrently. And the judge went with all the recommendations. (Holtzclaw is now such a hot potato that the state has sealed his records while he is incarcerated. I can see why. Offenders don’t like rogue cops.)
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Let them all rot in federal prison
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