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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 Blaze severely damages northwest Medford warehouse ... Concealed-gun ruling may fuel Oregon legislation in 2017 ... Medford builder Louis Mahar II arrested for assault ... Blaze severely damages northwest Medford warehouse ... Concealed-gun ruling may fuel Oregon legislation in 2017 ... Medford builder Louis Mahar II arrested for assault ... MALHEUR REFUGE STANDOFF CASE Young occupier pleads guilty to conspiracy in Malheur refuge standoff It will keep him out of federal prison Comment By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Jun. 9, 2016 at 3:57 PM By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Jun. 9, 2016 at 3:57 PM » Social News PORTLAND — Eric Lee Flores, one of the youngest people to take part in the occupation of an Oregon bird sanctuary, accepted a plea deal Thursday that might keep him out of federal prison. Flores, 22, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to impede officers of the United States. In exchange, prosecutors dropped a charge of firearms possession in a federal facility. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel said he will recommend six months of home detention when Flores is sentenced Dec. 8. The charge carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison, but Flores is a first-time felon and he gets points for the early resolution of his case. A member of the Tulalip Tribes north of Seattle, Flores admitted to U.S. District Court Judge Anna J. Brown that he traveled to Oregon with seven firearms — a mixture of handguns and rifles —and performed guard duty during the Ammon Bundy-led takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. He acknowledged his actions intimidated Interior Department employees, preventing them from doing their jobs. "I thought I was doing the right thing," Flores told the judge when asked why he participated. "I thought it was public land." The takeover and ensuing standoff began Jan. 2, lasted nearly six weeks and included the fatal shooting by police of rancher and occupation spokesman Robert "LaVoy" Finicum. Flores left after Finicum's Jan. 26 death and was arrested in Washington when the occupation fizzled out a couple weeks later. The occupiers wanted the federal government to relinquish public lands and free Dwight and Steven Hammond, two Oregon ranchers imprisoned for setting fires. Neither demand was met. Flores is the second of the 26 defendants indicted on the conspiracy charge to accept a plea deal. A September trial has been scheduled for the remaining 24 defendants, including Ammon and Ryan Bundy. A status hearing on the complex case has been set for June 15. By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Jun. 9, 2016 at 3:57 PM » 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