A federal grand jury Wednesday returned indictments against the Malheur PatRioters:
A federal grand jury Wednesday issued indictments against Ammon Bundy, his brother and at least nine other co-defendants arrested last week in the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge outside of Burns.
Those who are not still in the refuge have already been arraigned on the previous charge of impeding and intimidation of government officials. The grand jury indictments replace the single previous charge and obviates the need for preliminary hearings on the old charge. The new charges are sealed until tomorrow, but they are likely multiple:
Those could include trespassing on federal property, destruction of federal property, unlawful access to federal computers and possession of firearms on a federal facility, according to legal observers.
The defendants will be arraigned on the indictments Feb. 24.
Shawna Cox is the only indicted PatRioter to have left the state, but may now be again taken into custody in Arizona. “Captain” O’Shaughnessy was about to be released but that is apparently now being countermanded. It seems likely that those still in the refuge will be included in the new federal indictments. As for Santilli and the other whiners still hoping to be released pending trial, “send their mail to the Multnomah County Jail.”
The patRioters are no strangers to indictments. The Guardian gives what is likely an incomplete rundown on this collection of arrogant know-nothing gun toters. In sum:
The men’s rap sheets include cases of domestic violence, illegal firearm possession, terrorist threats, resisting arrest and drug crimes, according to the court records.
Just a sample, as much as fair use and a decent human can tolerate:
Jason Patrick, a 43-year-old Georgia resident, faced charges in August 2014 of “making terrorist threats” after he “threatened to kill everyone” inside a Georgia municipal court building, according to prosecutors.
Patrick posted bond in that case and was released, but agreed not to possess weapons – a condition that he has since violated. He was photographed with guns during the occupation, prosecutors noted.
Joseph Oshaughnessy, a 45-year-old Arizona resident now facing charges for his role in the occupation, has previously been arrested for disorderly conduct, domestic violence and drug offenses, according to court records.