*This post has been updated to include comment from state Rep. Dallas Heard.

BURNS -- In the latest bizarre turn of events surrounding the ongoing armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge, an Oregon state legislator from outside Harney County arrived here Saturday with out-of-state elected officials in tow and met with the protesters.

Oregon Rep. Cliff Bentz, a Republican from Ontario, and Harney County Judge Steven E. Grasty said that they tried to warn state Rep. Dallas Heard against traveling to Burns. But Heard, a Republican from Roseburg, arrived anyway, they said, and brought officials elected to state office in Washington, Idaho and Nevada with him.

"He had called me and indicated he was heading that direction, and I indicated that was inappropriate," said Bentz, whose district includes Harney County. "I think it's fair to say I was not enthusiastic about the idea."

Oregon Rep. Dallas Heard (R-Roseburg)

Heard arrived with five other out-of-state elected officials and met with Grasty, Harney County District Attorney Tim Colahan, Marion County Sheriff Jason Myers and representatives from the Harney County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grasty said. Grasty as a county judge has a role similar to a county commissioner.

There was also a Las Vegas-area elected official who joined the conversation by phone, Grasty said. The names of the other elected officials weren't immediately clear.

Northern Arizona rancher Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, one of the leaders of the militant group occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, said on Sunday morning that the officials met with the protesters Saturday evening.

Heard confirmed the meeting with the militants, including top leader Ammon Bundy, in a phone conversation. He described the trip as "a fact-finding mission." Heard said he was worried about violence and wanted to prevent another tragedy such as the shooting last year at Umpqua Community College, which is in his district.

"I was concerned that some of my constituents might have been mixed up in this," Heard said. "A good shepherd's job is to take care of all his flock."

The outside elected officials told the militants that Harney County and FBI officials had put "great pressure" on them not to visit the refuge, Finicum said. The protesters communicated their grievances - including their view that the federal government should hand over public land to Harney County loggers and ranchers - to the elected officials.

"Many of them said the same things back to us. ... These are honorable elected officials," Finicum said.

Grasty did not mince words when describing Heard's actions.

"I find it really interesting that not only did law enforcement advise him not to go out there, [but] it seems to me that we now have a state representative who will not listen to local input," Grasty said. "And isn't that the same thing that our armed visitors are saying about the federal government? It's the same thing."

Heard called himself an "elected representative of the people."

"We represent all of Oregon," he said.

Heard declined to reveal the names of the out-of-state elected officials who joined him.

Grasty said at least one of the elected officials from outside Oregon was "clearly a Bundy supporter." Bundy, an Arizona businessman, is the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy.

"I said, 'Please, guys, you are no different than any other outside group coming in and trying to fix it,'" Grasty said. "I don't see that group as any different than the Bundys. I think they placed themselves in danger. ... Just their visit would encourage [the Bundys]."

Heard and the other elected officials were concerned about an armed assault on the protesters by law enforcement, he said.



"They were clearly told...there will not be any armed assault from law enforcement on that compound," Grasty said.

Grasty emphasized that he understands the "angst" surrounding federal policy in Harney County. "I have it as much as anybody," he said. But he finds it "offensive" that many outsiders are attempting to speak for locals.

"I don't want them to be our voice. ... Why in the world would an out-of-area legislator think that he can come in here and fix it?" Grasty said. "He's probably the most inexperienced legislator in the state of Oregon. ... It just seems bizarre."

Heard was elected in 2014 to his seat in the state House of Representatives.

Ted Ferrioli, who represents Harney County in the state Senate, did not return a phone call.

Grasty and other county officials will hold a community meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Burns High School gymnasium. Bentz planned to attend.

Bundy and his brothers Ryan and Mel were not at the refuge Sunday morning, Finicum said, adding that he thinks they went to church.

-- Luke Hammill and Ian K. Kullgren

lhammill@oregonian.com

503-294-4029

@lucashammill

ikullgren@oregonian.com

503-294-4006

@IanKullgren