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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 Governor tells grads about her former closeted life ... Lane County judge addresses concerns about 30-day sentence for dog-beater ... Unions submit signatures for Oregon corporate tax hike proposal ... Governor tells grads about her former closeted life ... Lane County judge addresses concerns about 30-day sentence for dog-beater ... Unions submit signatures for Oregon corporate tax hike proposal ... MALHEUR REFUGE STANDOFF CASE Oregon refuge occupier pleads guilty: 'Damned if I do, damned if I don't' Occupier pleads guilty to conspiracy charge Comment By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted May. 19, 2016 at 7:37 PM By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted May. 19, 2016 at 7:37 PM » Social News PORTLAND — A Nevada man who participated in the armed occupation of an Oregon bird sanctuary pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal conspiracy charge, the first of Ammon Bundy's 25 co-defendants to admit criminal responsibility. "Damned if I do, damned if I don't," Corey Lequieu, 46, said when telling a federal judge why he was giving up his right to a trial. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors agreed to drop two weapons charges, one of which carries a penalty of five years to life. Authorities in Nevada also had a hand in the settlement, agreeing not to pursue charges against Lequieu for his role in the April 2014 standoff with federal agents at Cliven Bundy's ranch. Lequieu also avoided a potential charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Anna Brown scheduled sentencing for Aug. 25. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel said prosecutors will recommend 2½ years in prison. The Ammon Bundy-led takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge began Jan. 2, lasted nearly six weeks and included the fatal shooting by police of rancher and occupation spokesman Robert "LaVoy" Finicum. The occupiers wanted the federal government to relinquish public lands to locals and free two southeast Oregon ranchers imprisoned for setting fires. Gabriel said the conspiracy thwarted Interior Department employees from doing their jobs for much of the winter. "They were scared and it was impossible to go to work," he said. The judge spoke with Lequieu at length Thursday about his decision to plead guilty, making sure he was of sound mind and understood his options. One of the charges prosecutors agreed to drop — the carrying of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence — has been contested by defense attorneys for all the men charged with it. Lequieu pointedly took exception to the wording: "In this whole case, the only violence was the government murdering LaVoy Finicum." The trial for the 25 others charged with conspiracy is set for Sept. 7. Lequieu's plea bargain doesn't require him to testify against fellow occupiers. By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted May. 19, 2016 at 7:37 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