Cliven was arrested last week in Portland, Oregon , where his two sons are in jail for their roles in the armed occupation of a wildlife refuge in Oregon this year

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and his two sons are now facing a slew of felony charges for their “armed assault” against the federal government in 2014, according to a new grand jury indictment.

The elder Bundy, 69, and his sons Ammon, 40, and Ryan, 43, were indicted on Wednesday on 16 felony offenses stemming from their standoff with federal officials two years ago. The charges include conspiracy to commit an offense against the US, assaults and threats against law enforcement, using firearms to commit violence, and interference with interstate commerce by extortion.

Cliven Bundy has long refused to pay fees to the government to allow his cattle to graze on federally controlled public lands by his ranch in Bunkerville, Nevada. The dispute escalated when officials attempted to seize his cattle, sparking an armed standoff in 2014.

After two years avoiding arrest, Cliven was taken into custody last week in Portland, Oregon, where Ammon and Ryan are in jail for their roles in the armed occupation of a wildlife refuge in Oregon this year.

Ammon and Ryan, who are accused of impeding government officials with the recent militia occupation at the Malheur national wildlife refuge, are now also facing extensive charges for their alleged roles in the 2014 standoff at their father’s property.

The new federal grand jury indictment in Nevada also names two additional key figures in the Oregon occupation: Ryan Payne, a 32-year-old Montana man, and Pete Santilli, a 50-year-old rightwing radio host from Ohio.

Payne and Santilli, who are currently behind bars in Oregon, were deeply involved in the 2014 anti-government protests in Nevada, according to prosecutors.

“The indictment charges that Cliven Bundy was the leader, organizer, and chief beneficiary of the conspiracy,” the US attorney’s office said in a statement on Wednesday. “The remaining defendants are charged as leaders and organizers who conspired with Bundy to achieve his criminal objectives.”

The statement said the men “recruited, organized, and led hundreds of other followers in using armed force against law enforcement officers.”

In the Oregon conspiracy case, the men could face up to six years in prison if convicted. But the charges in Nevada could result in significantly harsher sentences, with several of the offenses carrying possible penalties of up to 20 years behind bars and hefty financial fines.

“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,” Laura Bucheit, FBI special agent in charge in Nevada, said in a statement.

Cliven Bundy was denied bail on Tuesday, with prosecutors arguing that he remains a danger to society and a flight risk.

Ammon and his attorneys have continued to argue that the protests in Oregon constituted civil disobedience and that the occupation was not violent.