In addition to conspiring among themselves to plan and execute these crimes, the defendants recruited, organized and led hundreds of other followers in using armed force against law enforcement officers in order to thwart the seizure and removal of Cliven Bundy’s cattle from federal public lands.
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The two cases include several shared defendants including Ammon Bundy, son of rancher Cliven Bundy who is only charged in Nevada.
“These indictments and subsequent arrests send an irrefutable message to the American people that our determination remains steadfast to protect them and pursue individuals who participate in violent acts of this nature”, said Special Agent in Charge Laura Bucheit.
“This investigation began the day after the assault against federal law enforcement officers and continues to this day”, stated U.S. Attorney Bogden in a press release issued Thursday.
Hundreds of supporters converged around the ranch, and Bundy threatened a “range war” with federal agents, prosecutors allege.
A detention hearing for a New Hampshire man facing charges for his role in a standoff by Nevada ranchers opposed to federal control of public lands is being delayed until Monday.
The case is strongly connected to the January takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge outside of Burns, Oregon that has seen 25 people charged. For more than 20 years – and despite federal court orders telling him to remove his cattle – Bundy continued to let the cows graze on the federal land without paying any fees or obtaining the required permits. He also traveled to OR earlier this year when Bundy’s sons became involved in a standoff there with the federal government.
He is the son of Cliven Bundy, who was arrested last month on charges stemming from the standoff with federal officials in Nevada who were rounding up Bundy’s cattle over unpaid grazing fees. Dozens of woman and children were in the possible crossfire.
At the time of his arrest, DeLemus was running for Strafford County sheriff.
He was arrested on Thursday morning, his wife, Republican State Rep. Susan DeLemus, told the Union Leader.
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The 14 new defendants are Melvin D. Bundy, 41, of Round Mountain, Nevada; David H. Bundy, 39, of Delta, Utah; Brian D. Cavalier, 44, of Bunkerville; Blaine Cooper, 36, of Humboldt, Arizona; Gerald A. DeLemus, 61, of Rochester, New Hampshire; Eric J. Parker, 32, of Hailey, Idaho; O. Scott Drexler, 44, of Challis, Idaho; Richard R. Lovelien, 52, of Westville, Oklahoma; Steven A. Stewart, 36, of Hailey; Todd C. Engel, 48, of Boundary County, Idaho; Gregory P. Burleson, 52, of Phoenix; Joseph D. Ted Cruz’s leadership team in New Hampshire, and instead backed Trump because he’s an “anti-politician”.
