The trooper, a member of the state police SWAT team identified in court
papers only as "Officer 1,'' was involved in at least two unrelated
fatal shootings of civilians before the Finicum encounter, according to
lawyers for FBI agent W. Joseph Astarita.
Ammon Bundy writes June 13, 2018:
If the Police Officer who killed LaVoy also shot at him while his
hands were raised while first exiting the truck, would it reveal that
their intent to kill LaVoy had nothing to do with weather or not he
lowered his hand toward his jacket? Especially if the officer shot 3
bullets at him the first time while his hands were raised?#justiceforlavoy
“Lawyers for an indicted FBI agent suggest in court papers that one of
the state troopers who shot and killed Oregon refuge occupation
spokesman Robert "LaVoy" Finicum may have fired the two earlier shots
at Finicum as he emerged from his truck at a police roadblock.”
He shared the following article from the Oregonian-
Lawyers for an indicted FBI agent suggest in court papers that one of
the state troopers who shot and killed Oregon refuge occupation
spokesman Robert "LaVoy" Finicum may have fired the two earlier shots
at Finicum as he emerged from his truck at a police roadblock.
The government has refused to provide documents to the defense about
those past shootings despite repeated requests, the agent's lawyers
said. Astarita's lawyers are now asking a judge to compel the
prosecution team to release the material.
"Such evidence could potentially reveal a pattern of behavior that
might shed light on what Officer 1 did on January 26, 2016, and why he
may not have been truthful about that conduct in the days and weeks that
followed,'' defense lawyer Tyler Francis wrote in a motion filed this
week in U.S. District Court in Portland.
The motion reveals a theory of Astarita's defense lawyers intended to
cast doubt on the prosecution's contention that the FBI agent fired at
Finicum and then lied about it. One of the bullets hit the roof of
Finicum's truck and the other went astray.
Battle of experts in case of indicted FBI Agent W. Joseph Astarita
Government
reconstruction of shooting scene places Astarita as the blue figure,
and “Officer 1,” or the Oregon State Police SWAT trooper as the orange
figure. Prosecutors said Astarita fired two shots at Finicum as he
emerged from his truck. Defense lawyers question if the trooper fired
those shots. The trooper did fire 3 shots at Finicum’s truck as it was
driving toward the police roadblock and then fired 2 shots striking
Finicum after his truck stopped, got out and walked away from the truck.
The trooper was one of two state police officers who shot and killed
Finicum.
Astaritia's lawyers contend the government "overlooked or
misinterpreted'' several key pieces of evidence, "strongly suggesting
that Officer 1 may have lied about his role in the incident, and that
Officer 1 had a clear motive to do so.''
Astarita, a member of the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team, has
pleaded not guilty to a five-count indictment that charges him with
three counts of making a false statement and two counts of obstruction
of justice. His indictment followed grand jury testimony and analysis by
experts of the bullet trajectory from the shot that hit the roof of
Finicum's truck.
Astarita's lawyers said "Officer 1" was standing near Astarita when
someone fired twice - called "Shots 4 and 5" in court documents -- at
Finicum as he emerged from his truck when police arrested the leaders of
the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
The trooper had fired three shots as Finicum was driving toward the
police roadblock, striking Finicum's truck in the front hood, center
grill and driver's side mirror. The trooper denied firing the next two
shots, "Shots 4 and 5," as Finicum emerged from his truck, but he may
have had a motive for the denial because moments later he fired other
shots that struck and killed Finicum, Astarita's lawyers contend.
Government’s reconstruction of shooting scene
Prosecutors
say FBI Agent W. Joseph Astarita was standing beside the open passenger
door of a white truck across from occupation spokesman Robert “LaVoy”
Finicum’s truck when he fired two shots from his rifle, one striking the
roof of Finicum’s truck. Astarita has denied firing any gunshots.
"If Officer 1 had initiated the use of deadly force by firing Shots 4
& 5 at Finicum just seconds earlier, his self-defense claim would
obviously have been more difficult to establish,'' Francis wrote in the
motion. "Officer 1's denial would be even less credible - substantially
so - if he had a history of using deadly force in similarly questionable
circumstances.''
"Officer 1'' was one of two state troopers who fatally shot Finicum
as he was reaching inside his jacket, police said. Investigators said
Finicum had a loaded handgun in an inner pocket.
Astarita's lawyers first asked for files from the different police
agencies that make up the Tri-County Major Incident Team, which helped
investigate the shooting, in a letter to prosecutors in July 2017. The
defense sent another letter in September, specifically asking that the
government produce "all documents regarding the involvement of (Officer
1) in any prior officer involved shooting.''
By December, the government told Astarita's lawyers that it had
reviewed documents on the trooper's prior officer-involved shootings but
didn't believe they had to be shared under the Brady rule.
The landmark 1963 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brady v. Maryland says
prosecutors have a duty to turn over information that might be
favorable to defense attorneys in a case.
Top of LaVoy's truck bullet hole.
Prosecutors don't believe the trooper's prior shootings are relevant in the Astarita case, but Astarita's lawyers disagree.
Prosecutors have argued that no one other than Astarita could have
fired the shots as Finicum emerged from his pickup, and that he was the
only person standing in a stationary, "combat-ready stance'' with a
weapon trained on Finicum's truck when the two critical shots in
question were fired. They've said the state trooper was in motion,
moving around at the time.
Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson, whose office led the shooting
investigation, said that the Oregon state police trooper, or "Officer
1,'' told investigators he fired shots at Finicum's truck as it was
heading toward the roadblock, and then he fired after Finicum had walked
away from his truck and reached into his jacket.
Investigators examined the trooper's rifle magazine, and the evidence was consistent with the trooper's statement, Nelson said.
Yet Astarita's lawyers argue they should be entitled to review records on the trooper's previous shootings.
"Evidence demonstrating that an individual other than the accused had
a motive to lie to the police in statements impacting an investigation
is plainly exculpatory, particularly where that witness also had the
opportunity and means to commit the underlying act in
question,'' Francis wrote in court papers. "Records relating to Officer
1's prior shootings fall squarely into this category.''
Bullet impact on the roof of Robert ‘LaVoy’ Finicum’s truck
Forensic
investigators have dubbed the bullet impact to the roof of Robert
‘LaVoy’ Finicum’s truck as Impact “W.” It’s the bullet strike that FBI
Agent W. Joseph Astarita is accused of firing, but then denying he did.
The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and state police have declined
to identify the troopers who fatally shot Finicum. The agencies have
turned down repeated public records requests seeking the names, citing
threats against the troopers. Lawyers in the Astarita case have the troopers' names but they're under a court protective order. Nelson said the investigation into the shooting that day is
continuing, with additional interviews, "so we make sure we have an
absolute accounting of what occurred.''
Cones showing bullet trajectory from bullet strike to roof
Prosecutors
say indicted FBI Agent W. Joseph Astarita is the figure in blue, and
the only one who could have fired the shot that hit the roof of
Finicum’s truck.
Defense challenges government’s reconstruction
Astarita’s
lawyer Robert Cary and a defense expert say the aerial video from the
FBI is so blurry and fuzzy, and impossible to rely on to determine where
the agent was standing.
Government’s placement of officers and vehicles at shooting scene
A
government expert’s placement of officers and FBI agents at the scene of
the Jan. 26, 2016 shooting. The blue figure is indicted FBI Agent W.
Joseph Astarita, and the orange figure is an Oregon State Police SWAT
team member.
Government expert Michael Haag’s bullet trajectory analysis
The
green line shows government forensic expert Michael Haag’s bullet
trajectory analysis from the bullet hole on the roof of occupation
spokesman Robert “LaVoy” Finicum’s truck, fired on Jan. 26, 2016. The
green line leads to the area where the bullet was fired from, according
to Haag.
Government’s placement of officers and vehicles at shooting scene
A
government expert’s placement of officers and FBI agents at the scene
of the Jan. 26, 2016 shooting. The blue figure is indicted FBI Agent W.
Joseph Astarita, and the orange figure is an Oregon State Police SWAT
team member.
“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” The
opening lines of the “Detective Story” program captivated listeners and
are instantly recognizable even today. One of the most popular radio shows in history debuted in August 1930.
"A figure never seen, only heard, 'The Shadow' was an invincible crime
fighter. He possessed many gifts which enabled him to overcome any
enemy. Besides his tremendous strength, he could defy gravity, speak any
language, unravel any code, and become invisible with his famous
ability to “cloud men’s minds.”
Along with his team of operatives, the Shadow battled adversaries
with chilling names like The Black Master, Kings of Crime, The Five
Chameleons, and, of course, The Red Menace."
It all started as I was doing some group training Monday night August 8th. LISTEN:One of the members shared a scant bit of information that he had heard that Ryan Bundy was "missing" from the jail in Oregon in which he's been incarcerated since January 27, 2016. I immediately went to searching the internet for details and could not find anything! Not a peep from the Oregonian/Oregon Live! Later that evening, while working with another group, I asked them "if they'd heard anything on the subject"? "Nope"! I also asked if there was "anything we could do"? I asked the leader of the group if he could contact Shawna Cox and ask her if she could find out what she could on Ryan's status, since she was in Oregon for hearings, and get back to me ASAP with the details. I waited for days without word from him. I spent many sleepless nights as the details came trickling in, via social media, detailing the abuse Ryan was being forced to endure by the DOJ/Courts, US Marshall's, Sheriff's Department and Jail Personnel. It seems that not even his family had been notified of his taking and the abuse with injuries he suffered! Finally on Thursday, while listening to the radio, I heard Kelli Stewart's account of what information she could find out regarding Ryan's "abduction" and abuse he endured by all of the above. Instead of being informed by my group member, I had to hear it second hand on the radio after tipping him off.
You can see how it's not hard to draw the parallel between a 1930's radio series that portrays a team of operatives who uncover the "sinister" and battle unsavory adversaries. In short. We now have evidence, from multiple sources, that "evil" exists in our "Justice System", or in-justice system. In today's backwards world where parental rights are being abolished by government agencies for homeschooling their children, exempting children from being vaccinated and refusing to "chemo" their kids with cancer! Let's put "the system" to work investigating these men and women who are committing obvious abuse against "we the people". Why are these operatives exempt? Why are they still "on the job"? Why do these people still have their wives and children? Why do they HAVE a job! All of their actions are unconstitutional all the way up the chain! These operatives are just as bad as "the Black Master, Kings of Crime, the Five
Chameleons, and the Red Menace"!
The evil perpetrated on Ryan during this "incident" has been witnessed by several people and they should serve as affidavits against the DOJ/Courts, Judges, US Marshalls, Sheriff Department and Jail Personnel, cameras be damned! I believe that one of the reasons they inflicted this "mayhem" on Ryan, and also their retaliation on Ammon after testifying of Ryan's abuse by ransacking his cell. Removing his belongings. Charging him with having "contraband" consisting of salt and pepper, and putting him in solitary, is that the public have been doing their do diligence in watching how the prisoners are being treated and petitioning for their release. Also, if they remove the bullet the government removes the political prisoners defense. Kelli herself testified to the fact that they were making an example of Ryan, Ammon and the other 31 prisoners and the other 3 they beat up. We are putting you on notice. We are watching, and we will testify to your evil deeds! We will clean up our government by taking control of the courts and the injustice system our "government" has created. We need to cut off this "cash cow" of a system that funds judges, attorneys, sheriffs departments, and government at all levels. It is operating as a for profit system and this takes the constitution and compassion out of it.
We have an opportunity to up-root this system in Utah. With the new #prisonmove in which Utah "lawmakers" voted to move the existing Draper prison to Salt Lake City and greatly increase its size. Utahan's should be ever vigilant in making sure NONE of these injustices continue in our system. We need to insist on public oversight that guarantees EVERYONE'S constitutional rights are preserved. That we NEVER have a for profit system here. That our county Sheriff's Department is accountable to the public for the operation thereof. That the incarcerated don't have to pay for their own incarceration including GPS tracking devices, this is the governments way of asset-stirpping the incarcerated. This "big build" should alert everyone to something...they intend to put us in it. Their intention is to make big money at it, and to make you poorer, to take away your right to vote and your firearms and to have you labeled "crazy" insisting you be medicated. It all sounds pretty sinister, but that's the agenda. Utah, be vigilant!
We, as the people, are insisting that a grand jury be assembled. That an investigation be conducted regarding the justice system, the jail, the sheriff's department including personnel involved concerning this incident involving Ryan Bundy's abuse and mistreatment including the subsequent actions against Ammon and the other 31 persons retaliated against in respect to Ryan's incident. That the personnel be removed from their assignment or terminated at the jail including, and especially Sergent Sanders, Deputy Rose, Sergent Jacobs, Captain Petersen, Lieutenant Alexander, US Marshalls and all those the grand jury investigation uncovers.
A list of our grievances are the following:
On the spot hearings not on the docket and held without an attorney present.
Mandatory medical exams, x rays, including surgery.
Abducted from jail and driven around town without notifying family or others of removal.
Head being hit on concrete.
Being pushed down the stairs.
Jeering/laughing by on duty officers while watching abuse.
Turning off phones to silence public outcry.
Legal Docs vandalized and confiscated.
Gash on back of head.
Bruises on face.
Not informing family and attorneys of whereabouts.
False accusations of officer abuse.
Limiting phone call time.
Denying phone use.
Being left in holding cell for hours on end without breaks or food.
Solitary confinement.
Mental/psychological abuse.
Rooms being ransacked.
Photos being ripped of walls and vandalized.
Secret proceedings.
Assault.
False and fraudulent documents.
Assassination attempt.
Fowl play.
Insufficient notice of hearing.
Violating constitutional rights.
Not allowing preparation for defense.
False reports.
Among others. The American People will have justice if it takes overhauling the whole system including the American Bar Association and it's Judges.
The People are, and have been, filing legal documents on behalf of the wrongfully imprisoned including Affidavits, Habeas Corpus', Letter of Clerk Concealment, Jurisdiction Memorandum, Motion to Release and Order of Protection among others. A copy of the Oregon Docket is available here and Oregon Contempt of Court Documents are here. View the files and updates to court filings here. This is no joke! We are holding their feet to the fire. They must comply as we play by "their rules". Justice will be served...constitutionally. Join us! Educate yourselves and your neighbors. Make a phone call. Write a letter. File an Affidavit. Make a record of their "evil deeds". Help us uncover this corruption. With patience and compassion we will act as we "battle our adversaries". They will "lurk in the shadows" no more!
LISTEN:Hear the chilling testimony of the July 18, 2016 court hearing in which Ryan and Ammon Bundy testified and LaVoy's testimony was heard via video and the DOJ heaped on false claims.
LISTEN: In Ryan's own words, he tells of the account on August 8, 2016 in which a conspiracy took place in which he was lied to and assaulted and abused. He also releases the "bombshell" that three of the female nurses who looked after his arm and LaVoy Finicum on the night of January 26, 2016 have mysteriously died! He also lists his injuries which occurred, in part, when Sergent Sanders tried to throw him down the stairs where another inmate was paralyzed do to a "fall" a week prior by tactics by the same officer.
Injuries Ryan Suffered At Hands Of Jail Personnel:
Wrists dislocated.
Left thumb dislocated.
Spinal vertebra dislocated.
Bruised and swollen right knee.
Left knee also sore.
Many bruises on head and face.
Loss of faith and hope having no protection from sworn servants.
August 24, 2017 Call CCA/Core Civic/ Southern Nevada Detention Center and ask to speak with the Warden. 775-751-4500 Ammon Bundy is very disappointed in Core Civic/Prisons for profit right now. After going back on their word regarding him NOT being strip searched, they handcuffed him (and his brother Ryan) and then cut all his clothes off with scissors and hauled him into solitary confinement last Friday, where he now sits. The first 3 days they deprived him of his belongings; no books, no legal documents to work on, no Bible. Just walls to stair at for 72 hours. Then they finally gave him some books and a note pad but would not give him his pencil to write with. He not only keeps a journal every day but he also writes all the things he finds in discovery for later research in the Law Library for his upcoming trial. (He's been learning much about Steve Myhre that he says will make your mouth drop in shock)... He would appreciate being released from solitary confinement but at a minimum he would like a pencil to continue working on his case. Perhaps you could call the jail and let them know that profiting off of hostages is a sin and slavery is illegal and that Ammon AND Ryan would like to be released from the hole immediately. As always, be courteous but firm. This must stop!
Ryan Bundy has made a motion to file Suit against the Nevada DOJ Attorney's in his case and other government officials who plotted to kill his family and take away their livelihood in 2014, and as early as 2012. Ryan, through his incarceration, was subjected to much abuse.
Here the
interview with Ryan Bundy and Larry Klayman Attorney, who is taking the
case Ryan has filed to Sue the Nevada DOJ Attorney's in the case that
was dismissed with Prejudice against him December 2017. You can
contribute to Ryan to ease his financial burden by sending donations to
Ryan Bundy 361 Riverside Road Mesquite Nevada 89027. You may contact
him via email at governorbundy@gmail.com . Ryan, despite he not winning
the governors seat in Nevada, may still accept financial donations to
cover that cost a year after the election.
One militant is dead and the top leaders of the refuge occupation are
in police custody after law enforcement officials stopped vehicles
Tuesday afternoon about 15 miles north of Burns.
Ryan Bundy, 43, of Bunkerville, Nev., suffered a minor gunshot wound
and was taken into custody in a highway stop conducted by the FBI and
the Oregon State Police.
Also arrested were his brother, Ammon Bundy, 40, of Emmett, Idaho,
and Ryan W. Payne, 32, of Anaconda, Mont., Brian Cavalier, 44, of
Bunkerville, Nevada, and Shawna J. Cox, 59, of Kanab, Utah. They were
charged with conspiracy to impede federal officers, a felony.
Authorities did not release the identity of the person killed in the
shootout, but the daughter of Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, 55, of Arizona,
said her father was to be part of the entourage going to John Day.
Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore said that Ammon Bundy called his
wife, Lisa Bundy, from the back of a police car on Tuesday night.
Who are the occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge?They're military veterans and small
business owners. Some have authored books and lost their jobs to join
the cause. Who are the armed occupants of the Malheur National Wildlife
Refuge in Burns, Oregon?
Fiore, a vocal supporter of the Bundy family, said that Ammon Bundy
told his wife that Finicum was cooperating with police and had put his
hands up. Then, Fiore said, Bundy told his wife that he watched police
shoot Finicum three times. She said that Ammon Bundy also said Finicum
was on the ground when he was shot.
Finicum on Monday said in a radio blog interview that he sensed heightened activity from federal law enforcement.
"Definitely a lot of saber rousing going on around us,'' Finicum said
on America's Freedom The Right to Bear Arms. "I do believe they're
positioning themselves. There's definitely a hardening of their
postures. They're bringing in more assets. They're doing a lot of saber
rattling. ... We're just moving forward.''
In Burns, Oregon State Police also arrested Joseph D. O'Shaughnessy,
45, Cottonwood, Arizona. He is known in militia circles as "Captain."
Several hours later, Jon Ritzheimer, 32, a key militant leader,
surrendered to police in Arizona on the conspiracy charge. He gained
national fame for complaining on a video about the delivery of sex toys
to the refuge in response to the occupiers' plea for supplies.
Police also arrested Pete Santilli, an independent broadcaster known
for his aggressive manner and live streaming refuge events. He also
faces a conspiracy charge to impede federal officers.
Kristen Grainger, a spokeswoman for Gov. Kate Brown, declined to
comment on the arrests. Earlier Tuesday, the governor told reporters she
thought "there needs to be a higher level of federal engagement around
federal management of federal land."
Brown also repeated her insistence that federal officials take steps
to end the occupation and said "it's extremely important that wrongdoers
be held accountable."
"Until we have the opportunity to be fully briefed," Grainger said, "I need to defer to the FBI's spokespeople."
No details were available about the dramatic finish to the
free-roaming ways of the militant leaders. The FBI has been in charge
of the refuge occupation, but it wasn't immediately known which police
agencies were involved in the arrest.
The militants seized the wildlife refuge on Jan. 2, insisting they
wouldn't leave until their demands were met, including the freeing of
two Harney County ranchers jailed on federal arson charges. One militant
on Tuesday afternoon posted a video of Ammon Bundy talking earlier in
the day with an FBI negotiator identified only as "Chris." The two have
been negotiating since last week, with Bundy dictating the circumstances
under which he would talk and what the group wanted.
The leaders were on U.S. 395 bound for John Day, where they were
scheduled to participate in an evening community meeting set up by local
residents. A crowd of several hundred had gathered at the John Day
Senior Center, who were subsequently told the the "guest speakers" would
not be appearing.
The highway was blocked for a 40-mile stretch between Burns and John
Day. Police were stationed near Seneca, a small city of 200 south of
John Day, with long guns. They said they didn't know how long the
roadblock would be place. Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer was there.
Palmer two weeks ago had met with Payne and Ritzheimer. He later
publicly declared that Dwight Hammond Jr. and his son, Steven, should be
freed from federal prison to help end the standoff. Palmer also has
recommended that the FBI leave the Harney County scene and turn
the matter to local police.
The
armed militants took over the vacant headquarters compound at the
refuge, about 30 miles southeast of Burns. They have been using refuge
buildings for meetings and lodging, posting armed security guards.
At the refuge Tuesday evening before officials issued a statement,
occupier Jason Patrick reported no unusual activity. The only word he
had about a possible arrest was from an independent broadcaster allied
with the militants.
"It's pretty quiet here," Patrick said. He said no one was leaving as of 6 p.m.
The occupiers have been moving without police interference between
the refuge and Burns, even attending a county-sponsored community
meeting at the Burns High School a week ago. Police estimated at least
50 militants scattered through the crowd of about 400 people.
The dramatic event came days after public officials had gone public
complaining about the apparent inaction by law enforcement. The governor
had complained directly to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and FBI
Director James Comey as well as the White House. On Monday, Harney
County Judge Steve Grasty, who chairs the county commission, also
publicly urged police to resolve the occupation.
Payne and Bundy have been in and out of Harney County since November,
aroused by the sentencing of the Hammonds. In October, they were
ordered back to federal prison to finish five-year terms for
deliberating starting fires that burned federal land in 2001 and 2006.
Bundy and his followers had demanded that Harney County Sheriff David
Ward protect the ranchers from having to surrender, a demand Ward
rejected.
Payne and other militia met local residents in an informal meeting on
New Year's Day in Burns, vowing they had peaceful intentions. The next
day, about 300 people - a mix of militia and local residents - paraded
in protest through downtown Burns, stopping at the sheriff's office and
then stopping at the home of Dwight Hammond and his wife Susan.
That afternoon, a splinter group of militants drove out to the
refuge, left vacant after federal authorities warned employees to stay
away over safety concerns. Later, Payne confirmed in interviews with The
Oregonian/OregonLive that the group had long planned to seize the
refuge.
Besides demanding freedom for the Hammonds, the Bundy group wanted
the refuge turned over to prior private owners and to the county. They
insist that the federal government has no constitutional authority to
control land in Harney County, a county that measures 10,000 square
miles. The federal government controls 76 percent. The Bundy group also
has encouraged ranchers to renounced their federal grazing permits,
showcasing a New Mexico rancher Saturday at the refuge who did just
that.
FBI Reports- UPDATE - Additional Arrest Made in the Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge: Joint Statement by the FBI and OSP - 01/26/16 UPDATE AS OF 7:45 P.M.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. (PST), the FBI arrested Peter Santilli,
age 50, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in Burns, Oregon. He faces the same federal
felony charge as the individuals listed below. The arrest was without
incident.
**note correction to Hwy. 395
At approximately 4:25 p.m. (PST) on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Oregon State Police (OSP)
began an enforcement action to bring into custody a number of
individuals associated with the armed occupation of the Malheur National
Wildlife Refuge. During that arrest, there were shots fired.
One individual who was a subject of a federal probable cause arrest
is deceased. We will not be releasing any information about that person
pending identification by the medical examiner's office.
One individual suffered non-life threatening injuries and was
transported to a local hospital for treatment. He was arrested and is
currently in custody.
The arrested individuals include:
* Ammon Edward Bundy, age 40, of Emmett, Idaho
* Ryan C. Bundy, age 43, of Bunkerville, Nevada
* Brian Cavalier, age 44, of Bunkerville, Nevada
* Shawna Cox, age 59, Kanab, Utah
* Ryan Waylen Payne, age 32, of Anaconda, Montana
These probable cause arrests occurred along Highway 395.
In a separate event in Burns, Oregon, at approximately 5:50 pm, Oregon State Police arrested the following individual:
* Joseph Donald O'Shaughnessy, age 45, Cottonwood, Arizona
All of the named defendants face a federal felony charge of
conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging
their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or
threats, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 372.
We continue to work with Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward and his
deputies; Oregon State Police; and the United States Attorney's Office
to address any further outstanding issues. As the investigation is
ongoing, we cannot comment further at this time.
UPDATE: FBI Surrounds Occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - 02/10/16
At
approximately 4:30 pm (Pacific) on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, one
of the occupiers rode an ATV outside the barricades established by the
militia at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. FBI Agents attempted to
approach the driver, and he returned to the encampment at the refuge at
a high rate of speed.
At this time, the FBI has moved to contain the remaining occupiers
by placing agents at barricades both immediately ahead of and behind the
area where the occupiers are camping. Negotiations between the
occupiers and the FBI continue. No shots have been fired.
"It has never been the FBI's desire to engage these armed occupiers
in any way other than through dialogue, and to that end, the FBI has
negotiated with patience and restraint in an effort to resolve the
situation peacefully. However, we reached a point where it became
necessary to take action in a way that best ensured the safety of those
on the refuge, the law enforcement officers who are on scene, and the
people of Harney County who live and work in this area," said Greg
Bretzing, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.
Wednesday marks day 40 of the occupation of the refuge.
Cliven Bundy Arrested - 02/10/16
Cliven
Bundy was taken into federal custody on the evening of Wednesday,
February 10, 2016, in Portland. Further information on the charges is
expected to be available on Thursday morning. All media inquiries should
be directed to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Las Vegas at (702)
388-6508.
UPDATE: FBI Arrests All Remaining Occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - 02/11/16 At
approximately 9:40 am on Thursday, February 11, 2016, the FBI brought
three of the remaining Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupiers into
custody without incident. At approximately 11:00 am, agents brought the
fourth into custody without incident.
* Sean Larry Anderson, age 47, of Riggins, Idaho
* Sandra Lynn Anderson, age 48, of Riggins, Idaho
* Jeff Wayne Banta, age 46, of Yerington, Nevada
* David Lee Fry, age 27, of Blanchester, Ohio
No one was injured, and no shots were fired. Thursday marks day 41 of the occupation of the refuge.
Agents arrested the remaining four occupiers as they walked out of
the refuge to the FBI checkpoint. Those arrested will face arraignment
before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Portland on Friday, February 12, 2016.
At times, there were dozens of highly armed militants occupying,
visiting and supplying the refuge. On Wednesday, February 3, 2016, a
federal grand jury indicted 16 people:
* Dylan Wade Anderson, age 34, of Provo, Utah
* Sandra Lynn Anderson, age 48, of Riggins, Idaho
* Sean Larry Anderson, age 47, of Riggins, Idaho
* Jeff Wayne Banta, age 46, of Yerington, Nevada
* Ammon Edward Bundy, age 40, of Emmett, Idaho
* Ryan C. Bundy, age 43, of Bunkerville, Nevada
* Brian Cavalier, age 44, of Bunkerville, Nevada
* Shawna Cox, age 59, Kanab, Utah
* Duane Leo Ehmer, age 45, of Irrigon, Oregon
* David Lee Fry, age 27, of Blanchester, Ohio
* Kenneth Medenbach, age 62, of Crescent, Oregon
* Joseph Donald O'Shaughnessy, age 45, of Cottonwood, Arizona
* Jason S. Patrick, age 43, of Bonaire, Georgia
* Ryan Waylen Payne, age 32, of Anaconda, Montana
* Jon Eric Ritzheimer, age 32, Peoria, Arizona
* Peter Santilli, age 50, of Cincinnati, Ohio
Each subject faces one federal felony count of conspiracy to impede
officers of the United States from discharging their official duties
through the use of force, intimidation, or threats, in violation of
Title 18, United States Code, Section 372.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
"The occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge has been a long and
traumatic episode for the citizens of Harney County and the members of
the Burns Paiute tribe. It is a time for healing, reconciliation amongst
neighbors and friends, and allowing for life to get back to normal. I
want to thank our neighbors in eastern Oregon for their patience,
resolve, and their kind and welcoming spirit to the many members of
federal, county, state, local, and tribal law enforcement who have
worked tirelessly to bring this illegal occupation to a conclusion. The
fine work of so many dedicated public servants in a difficult endeavor
cannot be understated. I am very proud of them all," said Billy J.
Williams, U.S. Attorney, District of Oregon.
"Much work is left to assess the crime scene and damage to the
refuge and tribal artifacts. We are committed to seeing the job done and
to pursue justice for the crimes committed during the illegal
occupation."
The FBI will release more information about the law enforcement work
that still remains to be done at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
later in the day.
All defendants should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Statement by FBI Special Agent in Charge Greg Bretzing on the Situation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - 02/11/16
This
morning the FBI took into custody the four remaining occupiers at the
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge without incident and without shots
fired. Rev. Franklin Graham and Michele Fiore were at the checkpoint to
meet the occupiers as they left their encampment.
As we have said since day one, our goal has been to end this illegal
occupation peacefully, and we are grateful that we were able to do so
today. I want to make it very clear that we will continue to enforce the
law with respect to the refuge and other federal properties. Anyone who
chooses to travel to Oregon with the intent of engaging in illegal
activity will be arrested. Saying that, I want to reassure those Harney
County residents who simply visited the refuge or provided food to the
occupiers -- we are not looking into those events. We are concerned
about those who have criminal, violent intent.
While the occupation is over, there is still quite a bit of work
that needs to happen before the refuge can re-open to the public. I want
to run through some of that with you now.
Next Steps
The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge remains closed, and it will
remain closed for some number of weeks. During this time, law
enforcement will continue to man checkpoints at the edge of the refuge
to maintain the security of this crime scene.
Most immediately, FBI agents are inspecting and securing the
buildings and any other areas of concern on the refuge to ensure that no
one else is hiding. This process will take some number of hours.
Following that tactical clearing of the refuge, a team of FBI
Special Agent Bomb Technicians, detectives with the Oregon State Police
Arson/Explosives Unit, and bomb technicians from the Portland Police
Bureau and Oregon Air National Guard will methodically work their way
through the property to locate and mitigate any explosive-related
hazards. This process could take several days.
Once the refuge is cleared of any hazards, the FBI's Evidence
Response Teams (ERT) will enter to document and collect evidence related
to potential crimes committed during the occupation. In addition, FBI
forensic examiners from the Northwest Regional Computer Forensics
Laboratory will work to recover and process computers and electronic
devices. It will likely be several weeks before the evidence teams
complete their work on the refuge, and it will likely be a number of
months before the forensic examiners complete their analysis.
At the same time, the FBI is deploying experts with its Art Crime
Team to work on the refuge. These agents are specially-trained in
cultural property investigations. They will be responsible for working
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Burns Paiute Tribe to
identify and document damage to the tribe's artifacts and sacred burial
grounds.
They will start with an archeological field assessment to determine
any potential violations of the Native American Graves and Repatriation
Protection Act (NAGPRA) and the Archeological Resources Protection Act
(ARPA). This work will likely take a number of weeks to complete.
As the FBI works through each of these investigative processes, we
will consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as to how and when
we will be able to return control of the refuge to that agency.
Closing Thoughts
Over the course of the last month, the people of Harney County have
lived through an experience that is both highly emotional and physically
exhausting. We have seen the occupiers and their outside supporters try
to drive deep divisions between those who live and work here. We have
seen some residents leave their homes, fearing violence against their
families. We have seen the confusion, concern and trouble that the
occupiers' actions have caused for this community.
This series of events has been beyond difficult for Harney County
families. But, in the time I have been here, I have also seen the deep
love that you have for this place you call home... love for the people,
the land, and the way of life that makes Harney County so special. This
passion for everything good about Harney County is what will help heal
the community after this incident.
This is your community, and the FBI, along with our other law
enforcement partners from across the state, are honored that we could be
of service to you. We still have work we need to do -- and we continue
to ask for your patience as we complete these necessary last tasks. We
will do everything we can to return the refuge to its normal operations
as soon as possible.
In particular, we know that the people of the Burns Paiute Tribe
have specific concerns about the potential desecration of their
ancestral lands and artifacts dating back thousands of years. As we
complete the necessary safety checks and process the crime scene, we
will work with the tribal members to ensure that our work remains
sensitive to their historical and cultural concerns.
In closing, I want to thank Sheriff Ward for all of his hard work. I
have never met a man who cares more about the people he serves... who
cares more for the community in which he lives. No matter how you feel
about the Hammonds or the situation at the refuge or the role that we
have played here, Sheriff Ward has done exactly what he has promised to
do since this all started back in November. He has worked tirelessly to
ensure that the people he serves are safe, that they are heard, and that
they can find a path back to normalcy.
Thank you.
Media Availability on Friday, February 12 - 02/12/16 The
FBI is offering credentialed media the opportunity to take an escorted
visit close to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Friday, February
12th. Each media outlet will be permitted a maximum of 2 people. You
will have the opportunity to move closer to the refuge (but not into the
refuge) to take photos/videos. For safety, there will be restrictions
in terms of where and how you can move through the visit. No live
streams or uplinks will be permitted during the course of the visit, and
no interviews will be given during the visit.
Meet:
The Narrows
9:15 am
FBI Update on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Feb. 12, 2016 - 02/12/16 Today, the FBI began to process the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge as a crime scene.
This morning, a team of FBI Special Agent Bomb Technicians,
detectives with the Oregon State Police Arson/Explosives Unit, and bomb
technicians from the Portland Police Bureau and Oregon Air National
Guard conducted an initial sweep of the property. A full sweep is
ongoing and will continue until the entire area is deemed safe for law
enforcement to operate.
Currently, the FBI's Evidence Response Teams (ERT) has entered areas
of the refuge and has begun to document and collect evidence related to
potential crimes committed during the occupation.
The FBI's Art Crime Team has deployed to work on the refuge. These
agents are specially-trained in cultural property investigations, and
they will be responsible for working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and the Burns Paiute Tribe to identify and document damage to
the tribe's artifacts and sacred burial grounds.
All of this work will likely take a number of weeks to complete. As
the FBI works through each of these investigative processes, we will
consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as to how and when we
will be able to return control of the refuge to that agency.
Harney County Joint Information Center Update:
The Harney County Joint Information Center (JIC) will continue to be
staffed through Sunday, February 14, 2016. Further details will be
forthcoming regarding contact information once the JIC ceases to
operate.
Harney County Joint Information Center Now Closed - 02/14/16 The
Harney County Joint Information Center has now ceased operations. As
previously noted, law enforcement activity will continue at the Malheur
National Wildlife Refuge for some time. Future media calls can be
directed to the FBI Portland Office at (503) 460-8099 or the appropriate
law enforcement agency.
Break-
Greg Bretzing, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Portland named in investigation of multiple violations of internal FBI policies, including lax oversight of
classified documents stored inside the FBI's Salt Lake City field office; violations of policies that govern the issuance and use of FBI
credentials; the failure to enforce rules that restrict access to areas
where classified documents are kept; and concerns that high-level FBI
officials may have covered up a formal complaint of security violations.
Although Militia Groups like Pacific Patriots Network and Idaho III% were in Harney County, the Peacefull Protesters were left alone in the end.
The FBI has yet to utter LaVoy Finicum's name!
If we are going to fight this tyranny by the FBI and it's contractors, we need to read their playbook. Just insert your name or the name of your group here.
By the way, Google Blogger is preventing me from updating this blog with pictures and links, including deleting my above post of the Shawna Cox interview. They have also tried to prevent me from signing in to my own blog. Please be aware that we are no longer free to express our first amendment rights. After all, this is the only weapon used by the Citizens For Constitutional Freedom which inflamed so many that they ARE willing to commit murder.
Part 1 - https://archive.org/details/the-assassination-of-la-voy-finicum-1.-the-foam-bullet Part 2 - https://archive.org/details/the-assassination-of-la-voy-finicum-2.-the-deadly-roadblock Part 3 - https://archive.org/details/the-assassination-of-la-voy-finicum-3.-the-planted-gun Part 4 - https://archive.org/details/the-assassination-of-la-voy-finicum-4.-the-two-shots-that-the-fbi-lied-about Part 5 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-shot-with-his-hands-in-the-air Part 6 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-courage-in-the-line-of-fire Part 7 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-five-minutes-of-shooting-1 Part 8 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-the-first-shot Part 9 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-the-first-shot-updated Part 10 - https://archive.org/details/lavoy-finicum-post-assassination-psyops Part 11 - https://archive.org/details/la-voy-finicum-pre-assassination-psyops
