New suspect in Oregon wildlife refuge occupation revealed, remains at large

A new suspect in the Oregon wildlife refuge occupation remains at large, and some anti-government activists in the west are hinting that the federal charges could lead to another standoff – this time in Montana.

The conflict brewing in rural Sanders County in northwestern Montana centers on the federal indictment of Jake Ryan, 27, who is accused of conspiring against the government and damaging a sacred Native American site during the standoff at the Malheur national wildlife refuge.

Ryan is the 26th person to face charges in the Oregon militia dispute, which began 2 January in rural Harney County as a protest against federal land-use regulations and continued for 41 days until the final occupiers surrendered to the FBI.

Ryan’s parents now say they are weighing their options to try and prevent the arrest, while online, activists connected to the Oregon standoff are calling on supporters to prepare to back them in some kind of standoff.

When federal prosecutors filed a slew of fresh charges against the jailed protesters this month, officials also added a new defendant to the case, but redacted his name while he remained at large. A judge on Monday revealed that Ryan is the new suspect and unsealed the indictment after the suspect’s family learned of a federal arrest warrant.

Ryan is accused of conspiracy to impede US officers, possessions of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities and depredation of government property. If convicted of all three felony charges, he could face more than 20 years in prison.

Ryan and Sean Anderson, another Oregon protester, excavated lands on an archaeological site considered sacred to the Burns Paiute tribe, the local Native American group, according to the indictment.


http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/new-suspect-in-oregon-wildlife-refuge-occupation-revealed-remains-at-large/ar-BBqNhAP?li=BBnb4R7