![](https://www.indianz.com/News/2016/01/08/bundyranchnevada.jpg)
An April 2014 scene at the Bundy Ranch in Nevada. Photo from The Anti-Media / Facebook
Three members of the Bundy family and two of their supporters were indicted in federal court in connection with an April 2014 armed standoff against the federal government. Cliven D. Bundy, 69; Ryan C. Bundy, 43; Ammon E. Bundy; Ryan W. Payne 32; and Peter T. Santilli, Jr., 50, face numerous charges for threatening federal law enforcement officers, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Nevada said. The incident arose after the Bureau of Land Management attempted to remove cattle owned by Cliven Bundy, an anti-government figure who has refused to abide by federal grazing laws and federal court orders for decades. “The rule of law has been reaffirmed with these charges,” U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden said in a press release. “Persons who use force and violence against federal law enforcement officers who are enforcing court orders, and nearly causing catastrophic loss of life or injury to others, will be brought to justice.” The government's treatment of the Bundys at the time of the standoff differed from the way it handled grazing issues involving members of the Western Shoshone Nation. The BLM has repeatedly seized and auction livestock from tribal members who believe they have an aboriginal right to use lands promised to the their ancestors under the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley. "The deceptive nature of the United States government’s treatment of Indian nations generally comes into sharp focus when one examines the abusive and dominating manner in which the U.S. has treated the Western Shoshone Nation," Steven Newcomb of the Indigenous Law Institute wrote in Indian Country Today in April 2014. Prodded by their father's distorted claims about land promised to the Burns Paiute Tribe, the Bundy sons went on to lead the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Federal authorities said the occupiers dug a road, two trenches -- including one that was filled with human feces -- and a camping area next to or sensitive cultural sites at the refuge. Cliven, Ammon and Ryan Bundy are currently being detained in Oregon. Get the Story:
Cliven Bundy, 4 others face federal indictment in Nevada (The Oregonian 2/17)
Bundy Family, Supporters Face 16 Federal Felonies For 2014 Standoff (Oregon Public Broadcasting 2/17)
Cliven Bundy, 4 Others, Face Federal Indictment in Nevada (AP 2/17)
Oregon refuge occupiers left behind guns, explosives and feces, investigators say (The Washington Post 2/17)
Cliven Bundy and sons indicted on federal conspiracy charges: ‘A man who will do whatever it takes’ (The Washington Post 2/18)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Armed occupiers dug road and latrine near tribal
sites at refuge (2/17) Burns Paiute Tribe to help assess damage from armed takeover (2/12)
Armed occupation of wildlife refuge in Oregon ends with arrests (2/11)
Albert Bender: Tribes should reclaim land from unratified treaties (2/10)
Burns Paiute Tribe might seek to reopen judgment for stolen lands (2/8)
Steve Russell: Cowboy legal scholars fail big on federal Indian law (02/02)
Four people remain at refuge in Oregon as FBI defends shooting (1/29)
Leader of armed takeover tells followers to leave federal refuge (1/28)
Steven Newcomb: Federal refuge belongs to Burns Paiute Tribe (1/28)
Siletz Tribe disavows video showing artifacts at refuge in Oregon (1/27)
Steve Russell: Bundys finally ousted from Paiute ancestral lands (1/27)
Leaders of armed takeover at federal refuge arrested after death (1/27)
Burns Paiute Tribe asks DOJ to end occupation of ancestral land (1/26)
Andrew Rosenthal: Armed group pulls stunt with tribal artifacts (1/22)
Jacqueline Keeler: Burns Paiute Tribe concerned about artifacts (1/19)
Cari Carpenter: Sarah Winnemucca sought return of Paiute land (1/18)
Alex Jacobs: White militia sitcom plays out on Indian territory (1/15)
Armed group willing to turn over artifacts to Burns Paiute Tribe (1/15)
Albert Bender: Occupied land still belongs to Burns Paiute Tribe (1/13)
Jacqueline Keeler: Burns Paiute Tribe frustrated by armed group (1/12)
Jim Patterson: Burns Paiute Tribe perseveres despite pressures (1/12)
Steve Russell: Armed 'patriots' at odds with Burns Paiute Tribe (1/11)
Gyasi Ross: Crazy White people have turned into the new Indians (1/8)
Jacqueline Keeler: Paiute ancestors were forced on Trail of Tears (1/8)
Peter d'Errico: Armed White men invade Indian lands in Oregon (1/8)
Federal agencies closed offices in Oregon amid safety concerns (1/8)
House Democrats call for armed group to leave refuge in Oregon (1/7)
Charlotte Rodrique: Land rightfully belongs to Burns Paiute Tribe (1/7)
Burns Paiute Tribe tells armed group to leave ancestral territory (1/7)
Burns Paiute Tribe not happy with armed group on ancestral land (1/6)
Armed group wants more to join protest on ancestral Paiute land (1/5)
Armed group occupies wildlife refuge near reservation in Oregon (1/4)