Cliven Bundy was arrested in Portland Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016.
Multnomah County Detention Center
Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy appeared in federal court in Portland Thursday to answer a handful of charges, including conspiracy, assault, and commercial extortion.
His ankles shackled together, the 69-year-old shuffled into court in blue prison scrubs. Bundy's charges stem from a decades-long conflict with the Bureau of Land Management but particularly an armed standoff in Nevada in 2014. Bundy and four unnamed co-conspirators are accused of forcing the BLM to relinquish cattle the government had seized for non-payment of grazing fees.
The only time Bundy spoke in court was to say "yes" to U.S. Magistrate Judge Janice Stewart when she asked if Bundy understood his rights.
Related: Cliven Bundy Arrested
Bundy was ordered held until a detention hearing Tuesday.
Bundy was arrested after flying from Nevada to Portland. He had planned to visit his sons who are also in jail. Ammon and Ryan Bundy led the now-concluded occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
Bundy's public defender, Ruben Iñiguez, told Stewart that when Bundy was arrested at the Portland airport, his blood pressure medicine was left behind. Iñiguez said Bundy is feeling the effects. The judge said jail doctors will examine Bundy and prescribe medication accordingly.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct age of Cliven Bundy.
