The Latest: Rancher Says Warrants Issued in Oregon Standoff

[L. Coyote]

Last edited Wed Jan 6, 2016, 12:09 AM - Edit history (2)

Source: ABC

5:05 p.m. A member of the small, armed group that has been occupying a national wildlife refuge in Oregon says he believes federal officials have issued warrants for the arrest of five group members.

LaVoy Finicum, an Arizona rancher, told reporters at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Tuesday evening that he is one of the people who is a subject of the warrants, but he offered no details.

The FBI in Portland referred calls to the Harney County Joint Information Center, which said in a statement it had no information on arrests or arrest warrants and that authorities were "still working on a peaceful resolution."

Finicum, holding a rifle and a backpack, told reporters he would stay at the entrance to the refuge overnight so authorities could find him. Ammon Bundy, a group leader, said they would take a defensive position anticipating a possible raid.



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/latest-armed-group-pressing-us-land-transfer-36104318

---

I'll watch for updates. Saw something mentioned elsewhere, no real details yet.

Gov. Brown issued a written statement and wants a rapid resolution, FBI in charge, state police presence has just increased.

======= on edit =========

Harney County Sheriff: Armed Occupiers Will Face Charges

In a wide ranging interview Tuesday, Harney County Sheriff David Ward urged members of the community to distance themselves from the armed men occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

“I think if one person gives them a Snickers bar, they’re going on national media and claiming that the community supports them,” he said.

“If you’re giving them support, you’re just prolonging the situation.”

..... “The bureau has assured me that those at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge will at some point face charges,” Ward said. .....

========== 2nd edit =============

Protest leader says warrants obtained for Oregon occupiers
FBI denies issuing any warrants
UPDATED 10:46 PM EST Jan 05, 2016

MALHEUR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, Oregon (CNN) —Ammon Bundy, leader of the armed protesters who took over a federal building in Oregon, told reporters that protesters had received information that the FBI had obtained arrest warrants for some of the armed occupiers, and that authorities were planning to raid the refuge.

CNN reached out to the FBI, which denied issuing any warrants.

LaVoy Finicum, an Arizona rancher, told The Associated Press at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Tuesday evening that he is one of the people who is a subject of the warrants ....

Finicum, holding a rifle and a backpack, told reporters he would stay at the entrance to the refuge overnight so authorities could find him. Bundy said they would take a defensive position anticipating a possible raid.

.....

[L. Coyote]

1. GOP candidates weigh in on Oregon standoff

GOP candidates weigh in on Oregon standoff
01/04/16 04:11 PM

To his credit, one of John Kasich’s (R) top aides turned to social media to argue, “I know a good federal compound for Bundy and his gang: a U.S. penitentiary.” The Ohio governor’s GOP rivals, however, said literally nothing.

Today, that started to change. Rand Paul, who cozied up to Bundy in the recent past, told the Washington Post, “I’m sympathetic to the idea that the large collection of federal lands ought to be turned back to the states and the people, but I think the best way to bring about change is through politics…. I don’t support any violence or suggestion of violence toward changing policy.”

Marco Rubio struck a similar note in an interview with an Iowa radio station, endorsing the idea that there’s too much federal land ownership out West, but that the militia members are going too far. “[Y]ou’ve got to follow the law,” Rubio said. “You can’t be lawless.”

But it was Ted Cruz who had the most interesting reaction of all. ......

[L. Coyote]

2. TPM: Meet The Armed Militiamen Who Have Taken Over That Oregon Wildlife Refuge

Meet The Armed Militiamen Who Have Taken Over That Oregon Wildlife Refuge

... Ammon Bundy is a registered Republican ....

VIDEOS

[L. Coyote]

3. Oregon militants: Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), in emotional speech: 'There's a better solution here'

Conservative critter and conservative rag:

Oregon militants: Greg Walden, in emotional speech: 'There's a better solution here'

By Michelle Brence | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on January 05, 2016 at 6:15 PM, updated January 05, 2016 at 6:40 PM

Oregon Rep. Greg Walden, whose congressional district includes the embattled Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, took to the U.S. House floor Tuesday afternoon to give a spirited defense of his rural constituents and a harsh critique of the federal government.

Walden talked of how ranchers came up with the idea of cooperative management and know how to care for the range in Oregon's Harney County, where armed militants are occupying the refuge headquarters.

"The people there love the land," he said, emotion filling his voice. ............

[leftyladyfrommo]

5. If they loved the land

They would leave it alone not open it up to logging and mining.

[davidpdx]

7. Walden is an ass

and the only Republican in Oregon's Congressional Delegation.

[SwankyXomb]

9. None of the YallQaeda terrorists

are actually from Oregon, are they?

[L. Coyote]

13. Not a single one, and not one person from Burns has joined them.

Interlopers twisting a local law enforcement matter to their agenda, or I should say trying and failing miserably.

And, they said they would leave if people wanted them to, but they haven't.

[jpak]

4. In the Prophetic Words of the Kinks

PARANOIA TEH DESTROYAH

or maybe

Baby It's Cold Outside...

[niyad]

6. "I believe". coming out of the mouth of one of these idiots, is not news.

[Odin2005]

8. Y'all Qaeda is going to jail.

[McKim]

10. Walden Was Elected Because His Dad Owned a Radio Station

Rep. Gregg Walden was elected because his dad owned a radio station. The good people of Eastern Oregon are really hurting economically and voting for a Republican has not helped them. This is where a lot of young men come from who are fighting the resource wars in the Middle East come from. They are not being served.

[mdbl]

11. Another way to end the standoff is...

have the military snipers use tranquilizer darts, like they do with other animals.

[MBS]

12. from what I could tell, the Harney County sheriff has been handling this sensibly.

Here is a link to latest news from Harney County, including sheriff's statements to the community and general press updates on the Malheur occupation:

http://www.flashalertbend.net


according to this url, the sheriff is holding a community meeting today at 4 pm PST. Here is the sheriff's statement from yesterday:

"I want to invite those who live and work in Harney County to join me on Wednesday afternoon for a community meeting. We will gather at 4 pm at the Harney County Fairgrounds, Memorial Building, 69660 S. Egan Street.

Today I met with some local media to help get the word out about this meeting. Tomorrow, I want to gather people together to talk about their security concerns and the disruptions that the behavior of the militants on the refuge are causing for our people. It is very important that Harney County citizens who feel strongly about getting these militants out of our county join with me in this effort.

In addition, we strongly discourage others from joining those at the refuge. Due to safety concerns by the people of this community, I have asked for extra sheriff's patrols to assist us in maintaining a safe environment for everyone. We realize the disruption to the community has been difficult, and that this is having an economic impact.

If this goes any longer it will have an even greater impact to our tourism and economy. Community schools, government, and some businesses are shut down. They have promised to leave if our community wants them to. We want to see them go home to their families and consider how their actions affect this community. We all want a safe resolution to this situation, and to go back to our peaceful way of life."

As everyone knows, the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ... is a federal facility. Therefore, aspects of this will be investigated by the federal government. My department will assist in the investigation. The Harney County Sheriff's Department is working with the FBI, who is handling investigation of any federal violations occurring on the refuge."

[L. Coyote]

14. Thanks. That is particulaly useful news.

On a lighter note, the #BundyBunch was spotted by birders early this morning, foraging for snacks: