3 more militia charged in Malheur occupation

BURNS, Ore. (KOIN) — The three militia members who surrendered to the FBI on Wednesday were charged in US Federal Court in Portland for their roles in the takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Duane Ehmer, 45, of Irrigon, Oregon, Dylan Anderson, 34, of Provo, Utah, and Jason Patrick, 43, of Bonaire, Georgia were arrested on probable cause warrants, the FBI said.

They were all arrested without incident.

They each face one federal felony count of conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or threats, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 372.

That is the same charge the other 8 militia members face, including the Bundy brothers, Ammon and Ryan.

All courtroom sketches by Abigail Marble/Sketch Artist

Seven of those people were arrested in a traffic stop along Highway 395 Tuesday afternoon. One person, LaVoy Finicum, was killed in a shootout with the FBI and OSP.

Until Thursday afternoon, Finicum had not been officially identified. But a release from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the 54-year-old from Freedonia, Arizona was the one who was killed in the shootout.

A law enforcement official says Finicum was shot after reaching toward his waistband multiple times.

The official, who had been briefed on the investigation but spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it by name, said Finicum was armed, but did not have an opportunity to shoot.

In a statement, Harney County District Attorney Tim Colahan said, “In the interest of transparency and to prevent any perceived conflict of interest, it is appropriate to have a district attorney with no prior involvement review the investigation. I have requested Malheur County District Attorney, Dan Norris review the investigation and make a decision regarding the appropriate use of deadly physical force.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report