The FBI discovered human feces on or near a Native American cultural site with artifacts at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which a group of armed ranchers occupied for almost two months.
Advertisement
“Occupiers appear to have excavated two large trenches and an improvised road on or adjacent to grounds containing sensitive artifacts”, U.S. Attorney Billy Williams of or wrote in the filing. Firearms, explosives, and spoiled food were found, in addition to a trench full of human feces.
The indictment alleges the nine defendants conspired with each other and with other people to prevent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees “by force, intimidation and threats” from carrying out their duties at their office at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Ore.
So far, 25 people have been arrested in connection with the standoff between a militia and federal officials on a federal wildlife preserve in Oregon. FBI spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele said Wednesday that she could not release details during an ongoing investigation.
Prosecutors said that they will allow defense attorneys to the refuge after the scene has been processed, but before the area is reopened to the public in an estimated 21 days.
In addition, agents have found guns and explosives around the area and that they are concerned about the remaining locations in the refuge that have to be searched.
The final four occupiers surrendered on Thursday with David Fry, 27, repeatedly threatening suicide in a dramatic final phone call with mediators before he gave up.
Advertisement
“The government will not know what evidence at the scene is specifically favorable to Mr. Bundy as opposed to another co-defendant”, Lissa Casey and Mike Arnold wrote in response to the prosecutors’ filing. Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher who had his own armed standoff with federal agents, was taken into custody in OR last week for his actions during an armed confrontation at his ranch in 2014.
