The Federal Government Throws the Book at Cliven Bundy, His Two Sons and Two Occupiers for their actions during the 2014 Nevada Standoff.

A federal grand jury has indicted Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, his two sons and two other conspirators for their actions during the 2014 armed standoff near the Bundy ranch in Nevada.

As The Oregonian reports, the indictment charges Cliven Bundy, Ammon Bundy, brother Ryan Bundy, Ryan Payne, and Peter Santilli with 16 felonies: “one count of conspiring to commit an offense against the United States, one count of conspiring to impede or injure a federal officer, four counts of carrying a firearm in a crime of violence, two counts of assault on a federal officer, two counts of threatening a federal law enforcement officer, three counts of obstructing justice, two counts of interfering with interstate commerce by extortion and one count of interstate travel in aid of extortion.”

PBS broke the the charges this way:

1 count of conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer

4 counts of using and carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence

2 counts of assault on a federal officer

2 counts of threatening a federal law enforcement officer

3 counts of obstruction of the due administration of justice

2 counts of interference with interstate commerce by extortion

1 count of interstate travel in aid of extortion

Cliven Bundy, 69, of Bunkerville, Nevada, his sons, Ammon E. Bundy, 40, of Emmet, Idaho, and Ryan C. Bundy, 43, of Mesquite, Nevada, as well as Ryan W. Payne, 32, of Anaconda, Montana, and Peter T. Santilli, Jr., 50, of Cincinnati, are expected to be formally arraigned Thursday afternoon and remain in custody in Portland, Oregon after being denied bail during earlier hearings.

The Oregonian continues their report noting that the indictment “also levels five counts of criminal forfeiture against each defendant. If convicted of the offenses, they would have to forfeit property obtained from the proceeds of their crimes, totaling at least $3 million, including cattle at the so-called Bunkerville Allotment and Lake Mead National Recreational Area in Nevada. They also would have to forfeit firearms and ammunition used in the April 12, 2014, standoff with federal authorities.”

Nevada’s U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden released a statement declaring that: “The rule of law has been reaffirmed with these charges. Persons who use force and violence against federal law enforcement officers who are enforcing court orders and nearly causing catastrophic loss of life or injury to others, will be brought to justice.”

Nevada’s FBI Special Agent in Charge Laura Bucheit stated that: “This indictment sends a resounding message to those who wish to participate in violent acts that our resolve to pursue them and enforce the law remains unwavering.”

“Today marks a tremendous step toward ending more than 20 years of law breaking,” said Neil Kornze, director of the Bureau of Land Management. “The nation’s public lands belong to all Americans.”

The Oregonian detailed the possible maximum penalties for the Nevada-based charges:

“According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nevada, the maximum penalties for the Nevada-based charges range from five years to 20 years, with $250,000 in fines for each charge.

“The maximum sentence is five years for conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S., six years for conspiracy to impede and injure a federal officer; 20 years for assault on a federal officer; 10 years for threatening a federal law enforcement officer; 10 years for obstruction of justice, 20 years for interfering with interstate commerce by extortion, 20 years for interstate travel in aid of extortion and a five-year minimum for using and carrying a firearm in a crime of violence.”

Cliven Bundy is expected to be returned to Nevada to face prosecution there. Ammon Bundy, brother Ryan Bundy, Ryan Payne, and Peter Santilli are facing additional charges for their role in the recent Oregon refuge takeover and are expected to face prosecution in Oregon before being sent to Nevada to face prosecution there.

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