Final occupier surrenders to end standoff at Malheur refuge - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

Document text

0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » NEWS NOW   Local scam too scary for parents to ignore       ...       Log shortage forces another round of layoffs at Rough & Ready       ...       Central Point council approves pot tax ballot proposal       ...       Local scam too scary for parents to ignore       ...       Log shortage forces another round of layoffs at Rough & Ready       ...       Central Point council approves pot tax ballot proposal       ...           MALHEUR REFUGE Final occupier surrenders to end standoff at Malheur refuge Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 11, 2016 at 9:48 AM Updated Feb 11, 2016 at 11:13 AM Posted Feb. 11, 2016 at 9:48 AM Updated Feb 11, 2016 at 11:13 AM »  Social News BURNS (AP) — The final occupier at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge has surrendered. David Fry was the last of the four armed occupiers of a national wildlife refuge in Oregon who turned themselves in today, a day after authorities moved in to the property nearly six weeks into the takeover and arrested a figure in the fight against federal control of public lands. The holdouts were the last remnants of the group that seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Jan. 2, demanding the government turn over the land to locals and release two ranchers imprisoned for setting fires. The surrender at the refuge played out over a phone call on an open line streamed live on the Internet by an acquaintance of Fry, who delayed leaving the refuge after the other three walked out. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors in Las Vegas are charging Cliven Bundy with conspiracy, assault on a federal officer, obstruction, weapon and other crimes. Bundy is the father of Ammon Bundy, the leader of the occupiers, who is now in jail also facing federal charges. A criminal complaint filed Thursday stems from Cliven Bundy's role at the center of a tense April 2014 armed standoff with federal officials near his ranch in Nevada. It involved self-styled Cliven Bundy militia supporters pointing military-style weapons at federal agents trying to enforce a court order to round up Bundy cattle from federal rangeland near his ranch. Federal officials eventually backed away from seizing his cattle and he never faced charges. The FBI declined to provide a reason for his arrest, but federal authorities say the family has not made payments toward a $1.1 million grazing fee and penalty bill. Cliven Bundy was arrested Wednesday night when he arrived at Portland International Airport from Las Vegas. He's being held at the Multnomah County Jail pending an appearance in federal court. It wasn't immediately clear if he had a lawyer to represent him. The FBI hasn't confirmed that the three surrendered, and the area was too far away for reporters at the scene to see. Fry, an Ohio resident, said he "declares war against the federal government" and shouted on the call with his acquaintance and a Nevada legislator who drove to the site to help negotiate their exit. "Liberty or death, I take that stance," he said. The holdouts and 12 others connected with the occupation have been charged with conspiracy to interfere with federal workers. He later said he was pointing a gun at his head. A day earlier, officers barricaded the refuge, when Fry sounded unraveled as he continually yelled at who he said was an FBI negotiator. The situation Wednesday had reached a point where it "became necessary to take action" to ensure the safety of all involved, said Greg Bretzing, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon. The four previously refused to leave even after group leader Ammon Bundy and others were arrested on a remote road outside the refuge on Jan. 26 in a traffic stop that also led police to shoot and kill an Arizona rancher, who the FBI says was reaching for a gun. Most of the occupiers fled the refuge after that. A Nevada legislator, Michele Fiore, revived her efforts to get Fry to calm down and give himself up. The Republican member of the Nevada Assembly had been in Portland to support the jailed Bundy. The FBI moved in after one of the occupiers rode an ATV outside "the barricades established by the militia" at the refuge, Bretzing said in a statement. When FBI agents tried to approach the driver, Fry said he returned to the camp at a "high rate of speed." The FBI placed agents at barricades around the occupiers' camp, Bretzing said. "It has never been the FBI's desire to engage these armed occupiers in any way other than through dialogue, and to that end, the FBI has negotiated with patience and restraint in an effort to resolve the situation peacefully," he said. Federal authorities likely decided to move in over concerns about dealing with a larger group, an expert said. Cliven Bundy encouraged supporters to flock to Oregon to support the occupiers. "The FBI looks at the concept of group dynamics, and they don't have the upper hand with a big and ungainly crowd," said Brian Levin, a criminal justice professor at California State University, San Bernardino. "When you've got many armed people taking positions, it's not going to end well." MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 11, 2016 at 9:48 AM Updated Feb 11, 2016 at 11:13 AM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.    Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service  |  Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501