Statement by FBI Special Agent in Charge Greg Bretzing on the Situation at the Malheur National Wild

[nadinbrzezinski]

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 archaeological field assessment to determine any potential violations of the Native American Graves and Repatriation Protection Act (NAGPRA) and the Archaeological 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.

[Grassy Knoll]

1. I Listened To That Live While Lurking A Chat Room...

And damn they are so pissed off, the hate for blacks
gays, Obama, muslims, and People with a functioning Brain.

[longship]

2. Gees! Nadine! You keep on hitting it out of the park!

A very informative post, the best on the topic today, or even this last month.

Great journalism, my friend.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. That just showed up in my news feed

I get the FBI news releases as matter of course in my email box

But I thought the primary source (and not the rehash from reporters) would be useful here.

[longship]

6. Indeed. But you still were the first reporter here with this.

I rest my case.

[appal_jack]

11. Agreed. K&R & appreciation for Nadine! nt

[NutmegYankee]

3. I don't agree with his decision to not pursue those who gave food to the occupiers.

They were aiding felons and should be arrested and charged.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Prosecutores have to do an exercise of what can be proven before a court

There might be things they are not telling, like some of the small minnows will testify against the bigger fish.

[Hortensis]

24. Sure. There's also that little tearing apart

communities thing. The law should be applied wisely to achieve both justice and wellbeing, which can conflict tremendously when done badly. Apparently the people who had to make the decisions on whether and how to enforce various laws did not think charging those people would achieve a positive end.

I really liked the closing statement on Sheriff Ward. Probably fully earned, and helping that impoverished little town feel proud as this wraps up is a good thing.

[demtenjeep]

7. more info

At approximately 9:40 a.m. (Pacific) 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 a.m., 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.

[flamingdem]

8. A clean sweep

Thanks for the post!

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. You welcome

[demtenjeep]

9. http://www.malheurfriends.org/

A way to help

they are going to need tons of volunteers and money to correct the stench of the last 41 days

http://www.malheurfriends.org/

[SammyWinstonJack]

22. They should make those who trashed the buildings, clean up their own filth.

[dmr]

23. I understand what you mean, but I wouldn't trust them.

But, I'd sure find a way to make them pay for it.

[JEB]

12. Thanks for posting.

Spring migration is just around the corner. Lots of people come to town to see the many different birds passing through. One of the mainstays of the local economy. I hope the Refuge will be back open to the Public that loves it by then.

[L. Coyote]

13. At least the refuge is much larger than the crime scene.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. I am hoping that once they get the crime unit in

they can pile more charges, So far they seem light.

[L. Coyote]

16. Look at Cliven's charges, other Nevada charges. He won't ever get out if convicted.

It is still early for the others, they just charge what is required to hold them while a grand jury is called or already seated.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. I know this is how usually works

I suspect that many of us will follow this, partly due to the entertainment value. Getting transcripts from the Feds can be hard and judges don't precisely like cameras or recorders.

[Elwood P Dowd]

18. They basically wrecked the place and left tons of video evidence to prove it.

Add up all their videos to the evidence that will be later gathered, and I wouldn't be surprised if each one isn't looking at over a dozen charges.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. I don't think evidence will be an issue

[JEB]

15. The statement made it sound like the whole refuge would be closed for awhile.

I hope they process every crime the imbeciles committed .

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. Well, they did drive through quite a bit of the refuge

So I suspect they will go from outside to inner perimeter, and no media at all

[L. Coyote]

21. This map might help, especially if you read Arabic.

The main highway should be open soon enough.