[quote style=”2″]Irrigon Man Among Those Indicted on Federal Charges[/quote]
The FBI announced this morning that all four remaining occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge have been arrested.
At approximately 9:40 a.m. this morning, the FBI brought three of the remaining Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupiers into custody without incident. The fourth was brought into custody around 11 a.m. The four arrested are:
- Sean Larry Anderson, age 47, of Riggins, Idaho
- Sandra Lynn Anderson, age 48, of Riggins, Idaho
- Jeff Wayne Banta, age 46, of Yerington, Nevada
- David Lee Fry, age 27, of Blanchester, Ohio
No one was injured, and no shots were fired. Thursday marks day 41 of the occupation of the refuge.
Agents arrested the remaining four occupiers as they walked out of the refuge to the FBI checkpoint. Those arrested will face arraignment before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Portland on Friday, Feb. 12.
At times, there were dozens of highly armed militants occupying, visiting and supplying the refuge. On Wednesday, Feb. 3, a federal grand jury indicted 16 people:
- Dylan Wade Anderson, age 34, of Provo, Utah
- Sandra Lynn Anderson, age 48, of Riggins, Idaho
- Sean Larry Anderson, age 47, of Riggins, Idaho
- Jeff Wayne Banta, age 46, of Yerington, Nevada
- Ammon Edward Bundy, age 40, of Emmett, Idaho
- Ryan C. Bundy, age 43, of Bunkerville, Nevada
- Brian Cavalier, age 44, of Bunkerville, Nevada
- Shawna Cox, age 59, Kanab, Utah
- Duane Leo Ehmer, age 45, of Irrigon, Oregon
- David Lee Fry, age 27, of Blanchester, Ohio
- Kenneth Medenbach, age 62, of Crescent, Oregon
- Joseph Donald O’Shaughnessy, age 45, of Cottonwood, Arizona
- Jason S. Patrick, age 43, of Bonaire, Georgia
- Ryan Waylen Payne, age 32, of Anaconda, Montana
- Jon Eric Ritzheimer, age 32, Peoria, Arizona
- Peter Santilli, age 50, of Cincinnati, Ohio
Each subject faces one federal felony count of conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or threats, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 372.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“The occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge has been a long and traumatic episode for the citizens of Harney County and the members of the Burns Paiute tribe,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney, District of Oregon. “It is a time for healing, reconciliation amongst neighbors and friends, and allowing for life to get back to normal. I want to thank our neighbors in eastern Oregon for their patience, resolve, and their kind and welcoming spirit to the many members of federal, county, state, local, and tribal law enforcement who have worked tirelessly to bring this illegal occupation to a conclusion. The fine work of so many dedicated public servants in a difficult endeavor cannot be understated. I am very proud of them all.
“Much work is left to assess the crime scene and damage to the refuge and tribal artifacts. We are committed to seeing the job done and to pursue justice for the crimes committed during the illegal occupation.”
The FBI will release more information about the law enforcement work that still remains to be done at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge later in the day.
