Armed Militia Protest at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Dwayne Ehmer proudly displays the U.S. flag while riding his horse at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon on January 7, 2016. The refuge’s headquarters was overtaken by an armed anti-government militia in support of two ranchers facing arson charges.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Attorneys representing a federal wildland firefighter, Ricky Snodgrass from the U.S. Forest Service, have successfully postponed his trial following a controversial arrest by a rural sheriff in eastern Oregon. They are working to transfer the case to federal court.
Originally set to appear in a Grant County, Oregon court on a reckless burn charge related to a controlled burn that spread to private land in the autumn of 2022, Snodgrass’s trial has been delayed.
The case’s focal keyphrase revolves around the prosecution of federal cases in conservative Oregon counties.
Department of Justice Delays Case to Move to Federal Court
With the assistance of the Department of Justice, a motion was approved to postpone the case until the following month. Efforts are being made to transfer the case to federal court during this period, potentially leading to the dismissal of charges.
Following a controlled burn supervised by Snodgrass on federal land near an Oregon highway, a fire spread to private land, scorching 20 acres. Subsequently, Snodgrass was arrested and indicted on criminal charges.
While Snodgrass refrains from providing interviews, Max Alonzo, a former USFS employee affiliated with the union representing federal workers, revealed that local landowners expressed discontent over the fire incident. They began causing disturbances by driving recklessly in their pickups along the road.
“The landowners were behaving aggressively, swerving on the road as if to intimidate those conducting the prescribed fire,” Alonzo reported.
Alonzo further mentioned that Snodgrass sought police assistance. However, when the sheriff arrived, the fire had already extended to private property. Consequently, Snodgrass was handcuffed and charged with reckless burning.
Amidst the unfolding events, the focus remains on the potential transfer of the case to federal court in Oregon’s conservative county, with the aim to prosecute at the federal level.
Oregon conservative county prosecutes federal
Accidentally spreading to private land is not uncommon for a prescribed fire, especially when unexpected winds arise. While landowners usually receive compensation, the idea of prosecution seems unprecedented in Oregon’s conservative county for federal incidents.
Alonzo emphasizes that federal employees are safeguarded while carrying out their duties. He suggests that the sheriff in Oregon’s conservative county should face charges for obstructing federal operations.
**Oregon Conservative County: A Unique Perspective on Federal Prosecution**
Grant County officials have refrained from commenting on the ongoing case due to its pretrial status. However, Judge Scott Myers, the county’s chief executive officer, emphasizes the interconnected nature of the incident. He notes that adverse weather conditions likely contributed to the unintentional property damage during a burn operation.
Acknowledging the historical context is crucial. Grant County, akin to many rural areas in the resource-dependent western region of Oregon, harbors deep-rooted skepticism towards federal involvement. In the past, the county actively sought greater autonomy over federal lands within its borders. Additionally, a significant portion of the population expressed opposition to external entities like the United Nations encroaching on eastern Oregon.
In essence, the incident in this conservative Oregon county sheds light on the intricate dynamics between local governance and federal oversight.
Challenges Faced by National Association of Forest Service Retirees
Steve Ellis, the President of the National Association of Forest Service Retirees, had a long career as a supervisor within the agency’s region. He attributes the current frustration to the drastic decline in public lands logging in the early 1990s.
According to Ellis, this decline led to significant economic hardships that have persisted over the years.
Unrest Triggered by Armed Occupation
The tensions escalated in 2016 during an armed occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Militia members, including Ammon Bundy and LaVoy Finicum, were en route to Grant County for a meeting with supporters when they encountered a police roadblock. Tragically, Finicum was fatally shot by law enforcement.
Origins of the 2016 Occupation
The 2016 occupation was initially sparked by a legal dispute surrounding a controlled burn. This burn was initiated by a rancher on federal land, resulting in the rancher serving time in federal prison. Despite this incident, Grant County’s chief executive, Scott Myers, notes that the relationship between the county and federal land managers has generally improved.
Myers emphasizes that the county is often unfairly stereotyped as being gun-toting and conservative, but the reality is more nuanced.
Impact of Oregon Conservative County Prosecuting Federal Workers
Expressing concern over the situation, Alonzo states that the actions of the individuals involved are concerning. Federal workers are feeling the repercussions of the Oregon arrest, particularly in a crucial wildfire prevention program that is already facing scrutiny. This concern is heightened following an incident in New Mexico where a controlled burn escalated into the state’s largest wildfire in April 2022.
Alonzo highlights the disparity in pay between wildland firefighters and regular firefighters, emphasizing that the former earn significantly less. The added pressure of potentially facing arrest while carrying out their duties raises questions about the feasibility of the job.
As the case of the Snodgrass arrest unfolds, a resolution is not expected for several months.
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