OR - PRESIDENTIAL PARDON - Militia members occupy federal building in Oregon after protest #4

[Dr. Know?]

Oh and this from the same article.

That’s significant, argued Mumford, because during the 41-day occupation, Ammon and his brother, Ryan Bundy, were never formally asked to leave the federal property. Mumford also claimed the men were not notified of any criminal allegations or arrest warrants until LaVoy Finicum’s Jan. 26 shooting death, when they were taken into federal custody.

http://www.opb.org/news/series/burn...-mumford-weapons-malheur-occupation/?t=892591

 

[bluesneakers]

Since when do you have to be formally asked not to break the law or terrorize a community?

 

[LinasK]

Oh and this from the same article.



http://www.opb.org/news/series/burn...-mumford-weapons-malheur-occupation/?t=892591

:laughcry:Hahaha, that's rich! What do they want, an engraved invitation???

 

[i.b.nora]

From the article:

“Mumford estimated that more than 1,000 people, including ranchers, politicians, attorneys, federal employees and protesters, traveled to and from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge without government interference during the occupation.

That’s significant, argued Mumford, because during the 41-day occupation, Ammon and his brother, Ryan Bundy, were never formally asked to leave the federal property. Mumford also claimed the men were not notified of any criminal allegations or arrest warrants until LaVoy Finicum’s Jan. 26 shooting death, when they were taken into federal custody.

That claim does not mention multiple encounters between the Bundys and Harney County Sheriff David Ward and other local leaders, who repeatedly asked the occupation leaders to leave the refuge and return to their homes before Finicum’s death.”​

I don't get it. As the article states: “But many of Mumford’s claims run counter to documented events before and during the occupation earlier this year.”

I am so PO'd I can hardly stand it.

 

[i.b.nora]

Prosecutor says standoff figure hatched escape
Spokesman Review
By Steven Dubois / Associated Press
Monday July 18, 2016

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/jul/18/prosecutor-says-standoff-figure-hatched-escape/

“PORTLAND – A federal prosecutor says Oregon standoff figure Ryan Bundy was working on a plan to escape from a Portland jail.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoff Barrow dropped the bombshell at a hearing Monday in which Bundy and his brother Ammon sought to be released as they await trial on charges stemming from the January takeover of a national wildlife refuge in Oregon.

In trying to show Ryan Bundy is a flight risk, Barrow said deputies searching Bundy’s cell in April found torn sheets braided together in a 12- to 15-foot rope, as well as extra towels, pillow cases and food.”​

Oh, there is more!

 

[bluesneakers]

Prosecutor says standoff figure hatched escape
Spokesman Review
By Steven Dubois / Associated Press
Monday July 18, 2016

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/jul/18/prosecutor-says-standoff-figure-hatched-escape/

“PORTLAND – A federal prosecutor says Oregon standoff figure Ryan Bundy was working on a plan to escape from a Portland jail.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoff Barrow dropped the bombshell at a hearing Monday in which Bundy and his brother Ammon sought to be released as they await trial on charges stemming from the January takeover of a national wildlife refuge in Oregon.

In trying to show Ryan Bundy is a flight risk, Barrow said deputies searching Bundy’s cell in April found torn sheets braided together in a 12- to 15-foot rope, as well as extra towels, pillow cases and food.”​

Oh, there is more!

I read this earlier today and completely forgot to post!

 

[LinasK]

From this article:
Bundy denied he was attempting an escape, telling U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jones it is “self-serving speculation” and “simply not true.”

Barrow said Bundy’s excuse to jailers was that he’s a rancher and was practicing braiding.:tantrum:

 

[Everyday Grace]

Ryan Payne, who led tactical training for the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation and is accused of organizing "armed protection'' in a 2014 standoff with federal officers in Nevada, faces a recommended 12 years in prison under plea deals fashioned in both states.

On Tuesday, Payne, 32, entered a guilty plea to the federal charge of conspiracy in Oregon.

Prosecutors have recommended a sentence of three years and five months for Payne's participation in the the Jan. 2 refuge takeover. It would run concurrently with the sentence he'll face in Nevada, Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel said. The second Oregon count of possession of firearms in a federal facility will be dismissed at sentencing.

Under an offer pending in the Nevada case, Payne would plead guilty to three charges, including the use and carrying of a firearm in a crime of violence -- a count that brings a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years. Prosecutors there are recommending a 12-year sentence, but Payne could argue for seven years, according to prosecutors and his lawyers.

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/07/ryan_payne_would_face_recommen.html

Payne was a key figure both at Malheur and Bunkerville.

IMO, his guilty plea indicates the strength of the government case. A guilty plea is the wisest move.

Whether any cooperation against the others is part of his plea agreement isn't known. His level of involvement could implicate others in Operation Mutual Defense (OMD) who have not been charged. We'll see.

In other Malheur news today, Judge Jones denied the request by Ammon and Ryan Bundy that they be released.

He wasn't buying what they were selling:

U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones ruled Tuesday that Ammon Bundy and brother Ryan Bundy must remain in custody pending trial, saying he was concerned they might fail to return to court or recruit others to stage another unlawful standoff if released.

In a three-page ruling, the judge found there were no conditions that he could impose to "reasonably assure their appearance in court or the safety of the community'' if he were to release them before trial.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2016/07/federal_judge_declines_to_rele.html

Today's ruling in a pdf document:
http://media.oregonlive.com/portland_impact/other/judgejonesbundydetentionorder.pdf

 

[Cricket99]

I know lots of ranchers that braid sheets. NOT!

 

[KaaBoom]

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/07/ryan_payne_would_face_recommen.html

Payne was a key figure both at Malheur and Bunkerville.

IMO, his guilty plea indicates the strength of the government case. A guilty plea is the wisest move.

Whether any cooperation against the others is part of his plea agreement isn't known. His level of involvement could implicate others in Operation Mutual Defense (OMD) who have not been charged. We'll see.

Pretty sad that he will only spend 12 years in prison for this fiasco. I wonder if any of them will spend more then 12 years in prison before they are out to continue their anti-govement activities. :thinking:

 

[i.b.nora]

JJ McNab, as you all know, is truly an expert on these sorts of groups, mentioned that Joseph Robertson, a Montana man was sentenced yesterday.

Here is an article on his sentencing yesterday:

Basin man championed by anti-government groups sentenced to 18 months in federal prison; must pay $130,000 in restitution
Dillon Kato for The Montana Standard

http://mtstandard.com/news/local/ba...cle_98909966-e828-5923-ad83-ba45805e1cf4.html

“MISSOULA – A 77-year-old Basin man whose case attracted attention from anti-government groups was sentenced Wednesday in Missoula federal court to 18 months in prison for water pollution.

U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy said after Joseph David Robertson is released from custody, he will be under supervision with certain conditions for three more years, and must pay almost $130,000 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service to restore the damage caused by the ponds, several of which were on government property.

About 50 members of the Oath Keepers protested outside U.S. District Court in Missoula, claiming Robertson was a victim of federal government overreach. Robertson carried a copy of the U.S. Constitution in his back pocket as he walked into court Wednesday, a gift from a member of the Oath Keepers.”​

And, prior to yesterday, this article from early June after he was convicted:

Antigovernment Groups Show Interest in Montana Pond-Building Case
“The case of a Montana man just convicted of felonies as part of his battle with two federal agencies is drawing attention from antigovernment extremist groups who supported the take-over of a wildlife refuge in Oregon.
SPLC
By Bill Morlin
June 09, 2016

https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch...oups-show-interest-montana-pond-building-case

“Joseph David Robertson, a 77-year-old retired construction company owner who has battled the federal government for more than a decade, was convicted in April on two counts of unauthorized discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters and a third count of injury or depredation of federal property.”

*

“Robertson is scheduled to be sentenced on July 20 in Missoula by Senior U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy. He faces fines up to $50,000 per day for illegal discharges into U.S. waters, up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for damaging federal property.

Already, a variety of far-right antigovernment groups and militias are rallying to Robertson’s defense, with one extremist radio host publicly suggesting there may be the need to take up arms and oppose the “federal supremacists.” The case is garnering attention from Oath Keepers, the John Birch Society, the Coalition of Western States and “Redoubt News” sites supporting an enclave of Patriots in the Northwest.

Robertson was a featured speaker last weekend at a meeting of 100 antigovernment activists – some of them reportedly from as far away as Illinois and Arizona -- who gathered in Plains, Mont.

Rally organizers said it was to support “political prisoners,” including Jake Ryan, of Plains, who is one of the 26 defendants under indictment for their roles in the Oregon refuge takeover. Like Robertson, Ryan was accused of using heavy equipment to damage federal property. Organizers claimed the rally was supported by Montana gubernatorial candidate Ted Dunlap, who’s a Libertarian.

Robertson shared the stage with Jeanette Finicum, the widow of LaVoy Finicum, who was fatally shot in January at a police road block established to arrest those extremists including Cliven Bundy’s sons, Ammon and Ryan, who had occupied Malheur National Wildlife with assorted militia groups, including members of the III Percent movement.

Nevada congressional candidate Michele Fiore, a Bundy family supporter and a vocal gun rights advocate, spoke to the group by telephone.”​

Much more, of course.

 

[Everyday Grace]

Pretty sad that he will only spend 12 years in prison for this fiasco. I wonder if any of them will spend more then 12 years in prison before they are out to continue their anti-govement activities. :thinking:

Yeah, a maximum of 12 years for his involvement in Malheur and Bunkerville is a pretty good deal.

His sentences aren't set in stone, yet. Each judge will make those determinations.

My understanding is that one of the Nevada charges he is expected to plead to carries a mandatory minimum of 7 years, so that is the least amount of time he could spend behind bars.

Possible that those who persist in going to trial could see sentences that exceed 12 years if they are convicted.

There's a saying around federal cases that sentences issued by the bench as a result of jury trials tend to exceed sentences that come out of plea bargains. I've never seen that in empirical data terms, but I have seen it said by defense attorneys who handle federal cases.

I don't see anyone getting more than 15 years max, but that's purely rough speculation.

Ammon and Ryan Bundy stand to get the longest Malheur sentences, due to evidence that will reflect leadership in spite of their "humble" protestations.

I believe being a chronic annoyance and disruptive presence in the courtroom influences a judge's inclination to drop a hammer on a convicted defendant.

Most of these jokers will continue on a similar path in their futures. A few may come to recognize the folly and idiocy.

Another Malheur defendant pleaded guilty on Wednesday. His role there is considered minor. He is from Bend, Oregon and appears to not have been involved in any planning, but joined up after it was in progress. He is 20-years-old -- the youngest Malheur defendant.

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupier Travis Cox on Wednesday became the ninth defendant to plead guilty to charges that he conspired to prevent federal employees from doing their jobs.

Prosecutors recommended Cox serve eight months of home detention for his role in the occupation. They also said they would like him to receive credit for the two months of pretrial detention he already served.

Cox is presently on pre-trial release.

You’ve capped your exposure,” [Judge] Brown told Cox as the proceeding came to a close. “It’s critical that you don’t do anything between now and sentencing to jeopardize it.”

As a felon, Cox will no longer be allowed to lawfully poses firearms. He’s scheduled to be sentenced in December.

http://www.opb.org/news/series/burn...es/malheur-refuge-occupier-guilty-travis-cox/

OPB listed those who have entered guilty pleas:

Eric Flores
Geoffrey Stanek
Wesley Kjar
Corey Lequieu
Jason Blomgren
Brian Cavalier
Blaine Cooper
Ryan Payne
Travis Cox

In other Malheur related news, David Fry has not given up trying to get a pre-trial release:

The attorney for David Lee Fry served notice Wednesday that he intends to file an emergency motion with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

A federal judge in Portland last week denied Fry’s most recent attempt at pretrial release.

http://koin.com/2016/07/20/david-fry-filing-emergency-motion-for-pretrial-release/

Good luck with that.

Fry needs to take the best deal he can get. He is really going to dislike federal prison. The more difficult he makes this, the less likely that his sentencing terms will include adequate consideration for his mental health.

And the last bit of news from yesterday that I saw is that Judge Brown denied a motion to exclude evidence gathered from Facebook messaging and other forms of "private" communication.

Expect that ruling may get appealed. No doubt those communications will be "all she wrote" to nail down the conspiracy element.

Oh, and I can't remember if I read here that Shawna Cox will be representing herself with stand-by counsel.

Strong likelihood of maximum entertainment from that quarter.

 

[i.b.nora]

Great reporting E. Grace, thanks!

 

[Everyday Grace]

Great reporting E. Grace, thanks!

And a great job by you on the Montana event, i.b.nora! Thank you for covering those developments.

 

[bluesneakers]

Please forgive me for forgetting and/or having missed a post but what were the names of the couple who were there at the very end? Do we know if they were charged?

Thanks!

 

[i.b.nora]

Please forgive me for forgetting and/or having missed a post but what were the names of the couple who were there at the very end? Do we know if they were charged?

Thanks!

Sean and Sandra Anderson.

The latest: May 4, 2016

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/05/oregon_standoff_defendant_sean.html

“... Jones (the judge) determined that Anderson isn't a flight risk and urged Idaho County Sheriff Doug Giddings, who wrote a letter to the court in support of Anderson, to monitor Anderson's release and report any violations of his conditions.

Anderson marks the 14th of the 26 defendants facing federal conspiracy charges in the refuge case who have been released from custody pending trial.

Anderson must find a job and remain in Idaho County, unless he has to travel to Oregon to attend court or meet with his lawyer. He can't have any contact with any self-styled patriot movement and can't access any social media on any patriot groups, the judge said.

Jones eased a proposed restriction that would have barred Anderson from discussing the pending case with his wife and co-defendant, Sandy Anderson, who was released from custody in February.

"That's not realistic,'' Jones said.

Anderson can talk about the case with his wife, but there's "not to be any intimidation of his wife,'' the judge said.

"He got her in enough trouble,'' Jones added.​

 

[bluesneakers]

Thank you!!

 

[i.b.nora]

There's just something about people who run around making bombs and blowing each other up.

Speculation surrounds FBI investigation of Panaca bombing
By Jeff German
Las Vegas Review-Journel
Posted July 22, 2016 - 7:33pm

http://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/speculation-surrounds-fbi-investigation-panaca-bombing

“Questions were being raised Friday about what prompted the FBI to take the lead role in the investigation into the deadly bombing in Panaca.

FBI agents spent hours executing search warrants Thursday in the small Lincoln County town, including at the site of the bombing, the home of former nursing supervisor Joshua Cluff and his family.”

*

“Cluff was the friend and former boss of Glenn Franklin Jones, 59, who was killed in the bombing that authorities believe he carried out. No one else was seriously hurt when two explosive devices detonated seconds apart on July 13.

“It’s obvious that there seems to be a lot more than just some sort of isolated revenge motive there,” said longtime criminal defense attorney Thomas Pitaro, who has more than 40 years of experience sparring in court with the FBI. “I think they’re trying to see if there’s a connection other than this personal animosity arising out of them working together.”

Russell Marsh, a former criminal chief in the Nevada U.S. attorney’s office, said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives normally takes the lead in bombing investigations.

“The FBI has parallel jurisdiction in these cases and often will get involved, for example, if there is the potential of domestic terrorism,” Marsh said.

Though the main suspect died in the bombing, the discovery the next day of a large amount of explosives and bomb parts in Jones’ 25-foot motor home in Kingman, Arizona, caused concern among authorities."​

Cut to:

“Authorities could be interested in Joshua Cluff’s ties to LaVoy Finicum, the slain spokesman for the occupiers of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. The two are cousins.”

*

“In a telephone interview this week, Finicum’s youngest brother, Jody, said he had not been questioned by the FBI about the Panaca bombings.

Jody Finicum, who lives in Ely, described Cluff as one of his best friends. He said he had met Jones “once or twice but can’t tell you what he looks like.”

He said he talked to Cluff the day after the bombings, and the family has no idea why Jones targeted the Cluff home.

Cluff’s profile picture on Facebook is an image of LaVoy Finicum’s cattle brand.”​

And... there is more

 

[Everyday Grace]

Review-Journal reporting on the bombing:

"It's not some little pipe bomb that somebody blew up a mailbox,” the sheriff said during a news conference Thursday at the town’s fire station. “This was not an amateur.”

The explosions tore through the home where Josh and Tiffany Cluff lived with their three daughters, sending scraps of metal hurtling into neighboring structures across a 1-mile radius.

According to neighbors, Josh Cluff was working at his new job as a nurse at the Caliente Youth Center when the bombs went off. His wife and children escaped harm because Jones reportedly told them to flee at the last minute.

One person was treated for minor injuries, Lee said, and as many as 30 people living in the area were forced from their homes, either by the damage or the ongoing investigation.

“This is going to be very time-consuming. We expect to be here for a while,” he said.

Frances Miller and Phillip Reeves live in a house around the corner from where the bombs exploded. They said Tiffany Cluff ran to their home with her children just after the blasts.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada/lincoln-county-bombing-investigation-leads-kingman-ariz

This is turning out to be a very odd story. It was strange to begin with and the close family relationship to the Finicums makes it even more interesting.

Then there's the proximity to Caliente and Pioche -- both locations connected to some FLDS related enterprises. Probably unrelated, but nothing should really surprise me anymore around any of this, so all bets are off.

We'll see what else turns up out of the bombing. Time to take a closer look at the bomber.

 

[Everyday Grace]

Good article (as usual) from The Oregonian:

With six and a half weeks to go before the start of the first trial in the Oregon standoff case, nine of the 26 defendants have pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge.

Three of the nine were part of leader Ammon Bundy's inner circle. Two of those have negotiated, or are in the process of negotiating, a resolution to a federal indictment in Nevada as well.

The developments are not unusual in a complex conspiracy prosecution involving multiple defendants, but they likely "ratchet up the pressure'' on those defendants still holding out, legal observers say.

It's not uncommon for the last ones standing to be the biggest figures,'' Sali said.

For seven of the defendants, the stakes are much greater because they're under federal indictment in both in Oregon and Nevada.

More:
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/07/oregon_standoff_9_guilty_pleas.html