From left to right: Jason Patrick, Dylan Anderson and Duane Ehmer
The federal government
against Jason Patrick, Duane Ehmer and Dylan "Captain Moroni" Anderson Thursday.
The three were arrested Wednesday afternoon as they exited the refuge through an FBI checkpoint. Their arrests bring the total number of armed militants in federal custody to 11.
Patrick, Ehmer and Anderson appeared in federal court in Portland Thursday. Federal prosecutors requested detention for each of the three men, which was granted by federal Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman.
The judge granted the request to detain the three men because prosecutors said they were a “flight risk and a danger.”
When speaking to the judge, Ehmer said, “I’m having a hard time hearing you, [I'm a] disabled vet, tell the VA to send some hearing aids.” The judge asked his defense attorney to follow up with the request.
Prosecutors filed a criminal complaint against the three men. It lists photographic, video and written evidence that shows Patrick, Ehmer, Anderson, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, Ryan Payne, Pete Santilli, Shawna Cox, Jon Ritzheimer, Joseph O’Shaughnessy and Robert ‘LaVoy’ Finicum all took part in an armed occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
Federal prosecutors have charged all of the people in custody with felonies related to preventing federal workers from doing their jobs.
The criminal complaint also alleges that Ritzheimer and another person threatened a federal employee. Prosecutors said the men followed her to her home, and then threatened to burn it down. Investigators frequently cited social media evidence throughout the criminal complaint.
On Jan. 9, Ehmer posted a photograph to his public Facebook page.
It showed heavy equipment blocking the entrance to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge with the caption, “My post I will guard everything in my post and quit my post only when properly relieved."
Jason Patrick is identified, in the document, as being present at the refuge on multiple occasions through media reports and videos posted from the refuge.
Related: Three more militants charged
The three men are being held at the Multnomah County Detention Center in Portland.
