{"id":20991,"date":"2016-03-04T11:08:35","date_gmt":"2016-03-04T19:08:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=20991"},"modified":"2016-03-04T14:00:27","modified_gmt":"2016-03-04T22:00:27","slug":"20991-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=20991","title":{"rendered":"14 More Defendants Charged In Connection with the 2014 Standoff in Nevada Involving the Bundys"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0NEVADA<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Federal prosecutors charged 14 more defendants in connection with the armed assault against law enforcement that occurred in Bunkerville, Nevada on April 12, 2014, federal officials announced Thursday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Department of Justice is committed to protecting the American people and defending the rule of law,\u201d said Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch.\u00a0 \u201cToday\u2019s actions make clear that we will not tolerate the use of threats or force against federal agents who are doing their jobs.\u00a0 We will continue to protect public land on behalf of the American people, uphold federal law, and ensure that those who employ violence to express their grievances with the government will be apprehended and held accountable for their crimes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Bundy
Bunkerville, Nevada Standoff on April 12, 2014 (Photo: Southern Poverty Law Center)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The indictment<\/a> <\/strong>alleges that the charges are in connection with the massive armed assault against federal law enforcement officers that occurred in and around Bunkerville on April 12, 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

The defendants are alleged to have planned, organized and led the assault in order to extort the officers into abandoning approximately 400 head of cattle that were in their lawful care and custody, according to officials.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to conspiring among themselves to plan and execute these crimes, the defendants recruited, organized and led hundreds of other followers in using armed force against law enforcement officers in order to thwart the seizure and removal of Cliven Bundy\u2019s cattle from federal public lands, officials allege.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bundy had trespassed on the public lands for over 20 years, refusing to obtain the legally-required permits or pay the required fees to keep and graze his cattle on the land.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"DepartmentThe superseding indictment charges that Cliven Bundy was the leader, organizer and chief beneficiary of the conspiracy, and possessed ultimate authority over the conspiratorial operations and received the economic benefits of the extortion.<\/span><\/p>\n

The remaining defendants are charged as leaders and organizers who conspired with Bundy to achieve his criminal objectives.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur democracy provides lawful ways individuals can respond if they disagree with their government, but if you resort to violence or threats, you will be held accountable under the law,\u201d said FBI Director James B. Comey.<\/span><\/p>\n

A superseding criminal indictment was returned by the grand jury on March 2 and now charges a total of 19 defendants.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 14 new defendants are the following people:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n