Social media posts are evidence in occupation

Ammon Bundy, 10 others face charges in takeover of wildlife refuge

portland, ore. » Ammon Bundy and his followers made ample use of social media and videos to summon armed recruits to join their takeover of a wildlife refuge and to declare their readiness to stand their ground. Now federal authorities are using the occupiers’ own words against them.

Court documents against the 11 occupiers under arrest showthat FBI agents have scrutinized social media postings, interviews and online talk shows that were broadcast from the Mal he ur National Wildlife Refuge during the standoff that began nearly a month ago. Bundy and several other jailed leaders appeared Friday in federal court in Portland, where a judge denied their release. U.S. Mag- istrate Judge Stacie Beckerman said Bundy, brother Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne pose a danger to the community, and she is concerned they would not follow orders to return to Oregon for criminal proceedings.

Beckerman said she would release them only if the standoff ends. Four holdouts continued too ccupy the refuge inthe snowy high country near Burns, and they posted a YouTube video Friday demanding pardons for everyone involved in the occupation.

A speaker believed to be David Fry said he asked the FBI whether itwas possible to “get out of here without charges,” but “they keep saying that’s not possible.”

Ammon Bundy’s lawyer, Lissa Casey, said her client is not aligned with those remaining at the refuge andwants to go back to his family in Idaho.

“He is done in Harney County; his message has been sent,” she said.

Casey said Bundy didn’t recognize Fry’s name and that hewas not a core member of the group. Hearings continued for others who were apprehended, and the Bundys will be back in court next week.

Bundy and his followers took over the refuge Jan. 2 to demand that the federal government turn public lands over to local control. They have complained about what they say are onerous federal rules governing grazing and mining rights across the West. Court documents detail some of the evidence against the occupiers, including a memorandum filed by prosecutors Friday arguing against releasing defendants before trial.