PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 16, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — A federal judge on Tuesday denied bail for rancher Cliven Bundy, who must now remain in jail as he awaits trial on 2014 felony charges stemming from an armed standoff at his Nevada ranch.
Bundy was arrested Feb. 10 of this year in the Portland airport after posting on Facebook that he was headed to Oregon, where the armed standoff at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge had reached a critical point.
The Oregon standoff had been organized to support of two ranchers convicted of burning federal land in protest of grazing fees imposed by the government. The last four militia members occupying the refuge were hours from surrendering after a standoff of more than 40 days.
Bundy’s sons, Ammon and Ryan, had been involved with the Oregon standoff prior to their own arrest on conspiracy charges. Cliven Bundy and his sons are supporters of the Sovereign Citizens Movement, which does not believe in being subject to federal rule.
The charges Cliven Bundy currently faces are related to the standoff two years ago in Nevada, which followed a 20-year legal dispute over Bundy’s refusal to pay grazing fees for his use of federally owned land.
Charges pending against Bundy include:
• Conspiracy to commit a crime against the United States
• Assault on a Federal Law Enforcement Officer
• Use and carry of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence
• Obstruction of the administration of justice
• Interference with commerce by extortion
• And aiding and abetting
Bundy’s daughter-in-law, Briana Bundy, told reporters prior to the hearing that 69-year-old Cliven Bundy isn’t dangerous or criminal, does not pose a flight risk, and should be allowed to live at home while he awaits trial.
But Federal Magistrate Judge Janice Stewart on ruled in favor of Bundy’s prosecutors, who called the rancher “lawless and violent,” and noted his history of disrespect for federal authority.
What a bunch of crap. Talk about a bunch of trumped up charges- “conspiring to commit a crime against the US” “interference with commerce through extortion”. The crimes in these cases have been committed BY the government, not against it. Also of importance, the Hammonds did not burn to protest, they burned to control invasive weeds, something those who claim to be in control should have been doing themselves if their aim is to protect the natural resources.