Nevada Rancher Cliven Bundy Arrested And Charged With Felony Crimes Related To 2014 Attempted Cattle Impoundment

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy was arrested yesterday evening in Portland, Ore., and faces multiple felony charges filed in the District of Nevada related to the attempted cattle impoundment operation conducted by federal law enforcement officers near Bunkerville, Nev. in April 2014, according to U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada. 

Bundy, 69, of Bunkerville, Nev., is charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, assault on a federal law enforcement officer, using and carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, obstruction of the administration of justice, and interference with commerce by extortion.  Bundy is scheduled for an initial court appearance at 1:30 p.m. today in Portland. 

The 32-page complaint alleges that on or about April 12, 2014, Bundy and his co-conspirators organized and led a massive armed assault against federal law enforcement officers who were attempting to execute federal court orders to remove cattle from the federal public lands in Bunkerville, Nev. 

If convicted, Bundy faces up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge, up to 20 years in prison on the assault on a federal law enforcement officer and interference with commerce by extortion charges, up to 10 years in prison on the obstruction of justice charge, and a mandatory minimum consecutive of seven years in prison on the use and carry of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence charge, as well as fines of up to $250,000 per count. 

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Land Management.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.