PORTLAND, Ore. — The four remaining occupiers at an Oregon wildlife refuge are facing charges, according to court documents released Thursday that say more than a dozen armed activists threatened violence against federal authorities and used social media to urge others to join them.
A newly unsealed indictment names 16 defendants, including the holdouts, standoff leader Ammon Bundy and other occupiers arrested last week. Also named is Kenneth Medenbach, who was arrested after being caught driving a government vehicle to a supermarket.
A federal grand jury charged all with felony conspiracy, accusing them of using intimidation to prevent federal officers from doing their work at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
The holdouts have said they are not leaving without a guarantee they won’t be arrested. If they stay true to their word, the indictment buries any chance they will surrender on their own.
The U.S. attorney’s office and the FBI declined to comment Thursday, but the lack of movement in recent days indicates negotiators were not offering amnesty.
The remaining occupiers are David Fry, 27, of Blanchester, Ohio; Jeff Banta, 46, of Elko, Nev.; and Sean Anderson, 48, and Sandy Anderson, 47, a married couple from Riggins, Idaho.
Fry’s father, William, was disappointed his son has been charged, saying in an e-mail: “We were hoping for a more positive outcome.”
He said his son is no different than those who believe “our country is heading in the wrong direction.”
“He believes it so strongly he is willing to stand up with the hope that these actions might wake the nation up and lead others to get involved to change our country’s course,” the father said.
William Fry said he is still “hoping and praying to welcome our son home safely.”
