Nineteen people have been indicted in connection with a 2014 militia-like standoff on federal land near cattleman Cliven Bundy’s southern Nevada ranch.
On Thursday, federal officials picked up 12 co-conspirators in five states on charges of conspiracy, assault and threats for grazing cattle on public land. A number of the individuals who were picked up Thursday were also involved in the Oregon wildlife refuge occupy movement that concluded three weeks ago.
The move comes after a federal grand jury in Las Vegas broadened the number of individuals it would go after in the 2014 case. Bundy and his sons Ammon and Ryan were involved in leading a 200-person armed confrontation to graze cattle on federal land, which the Bureau of Land Management was unable to turn around at the time.
Federal officials have also identified others arrested Thursday as: Blaine Cooper of Humboldt, Arizona; Eric J. Parker and Steven A. Stewart, both of Hailey, Idaho; O. Scott Drexler of Challis, Idaho; Richard R. Lovelien of Westville, Okla.; Todd C. Engel of Boundary County, Idaho; Gregory P. Burleson of Phoenix; Joseph D. O’Shaughnessy of Cottonwood, Ariz.; and Micah L. McGuire and Jason D. Woods both of Chandler, Ariz.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Thursday the administration will also file charges for those who participated in the 41-day standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in January and February.
