Hammond Family
Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy’s three sons and ‘about 150’ militiamen have occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge HQ to protest the pending re-imprisonment of two Oregon ranchers convicted of arson, arguing the federal government has no authority in local cases.
The occupation of the Wildlife Refuge came shortly after an estimated 300 marchers, militia and local citizens both paraded through Burns (Oregon, pop 2700) to protest the prosecution of the two local ranchers.
Dwight Hammond (73) and Steven Hammond (46), have already served their original sentence, but are being re-jailed after an increase in the sentence demanded by the federal prosecutor. The re-sentencing occurred after a successful appeal initiated by a husband and wife team working at the BLM. (see more detail below) The Hammonds are to report to prison on Monday and now face a further 4 to 5 years on top of their original sentences.
The Hammonds are also unhappy that a law intended to be used against terrorism was used to prosecute them. Born in the US, they have never used force or arms against anyone, are not part of any subversive group, and have lived peacefully in the area since they bought their ranch in 1964. The purchase included approximately 6000 acres of private property, 4 grazing rights on public land, a small ranch house and 3 water rights. The ranch is around 53 miles South of Burns.
In August 1994 the Bureau of Land Management & Fish and Wildlife Service illegally began building a fence around the Hammonds water source. Owning the water rights and knowing that their cattle relied on that water source daily the Hammonds tried to stop the building of the fence. The BLM & FWS called the Harney County Sheriff department and had Dwight Hammond (Father) arrested and charged with “disturbing and interfering with” federal officials or federal contractors (two counts, each a felony).
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge HQ
He spent one night in the Deschutes County Jail in Bend, and a second night behind bars in Portland before he was hauled before a federal magistrate and released without bail. A hearing on the charges was postponed and the federal judge never set another date.
The FWS also began restricting access to upper pieces of the Hammond’s private property. In order to get to the upper part of the Hammond’s ranch they had to go on a road that went through the Malhuer Wildlife Refuge. The FWS began barricading the road and threatening the Hammonds if they drove through it. The Hammonds removed the barricades and gates and continued to use their right of access. The road was proven later to be owned by the County of Harney.
Shortly after the road & water disputes, the BLM & FWS arbitrarily revoked the Hammond’s upper grazing permit without any given cause, court proceeding or court ruling.
The Hammonds were forced to either build and maintain miles of fences or be restricted from the use of their private property. Cutting their ranch in almost half, they could not afford to fence the land, so the cattle were removed.
In the early fall of 2001, Steven Hammond (Son) called the fire department, informing them that he was going to be performing a routine prescribed burn on their ranch. Later that day he started a prescribed fire on their private property. The fire went onto public land and burned 127 acres of grass. The Hammonds put the fire out themselves. There was no communication about the burn from the federal government to the Hammonds at that time. Prescribed fires are a common method that Native Americans and ranchers have used in the area to increase the health & productivity of the land for many centuries.
In 2006 a massive lightning storm started multiple fires that joined together inflaming the countryside. To prevent the fire from destroying their winter range and possibly their home, Steven Hammond (Son) started a backfire on their private property. The backfire was successful in putting out the lightning fires that had covered thousands of acres within a short period of time. The backfire saved much of the range and vegetation needed to feed the cattle through the winter. Steven’s mother, Susan Hammond said: “The backfire worked perfectly, it put out the fire, saved the range and possibly our home”.
The next day federal agents went to the Harney County Sheriff’s office and filled a police report making accusation against Dwight and Steven Hammond for starting the backfire. A few days after the backfire a Range-Con from the Burns District BLM office asked Steven if he would meet him in town (Frenchglen) for coffee. Steven accepted.
When leaving he was arrested by the Harney County Sheriff Dave Glerup and BLM Ranger Orr. Sheriff Glerup then ordered him to go to the ranch and bring back his father. Both Dwight and Steven were booked on multiple Oregon State charges. The Harney County District Attorney reviewed the accusation, evidence and charges, and determined that the accusations against Dwight & Steven Hammond did not warrant prosecution and dropped all the charges.
In 2011, 5 years after the police report was taken, the U.S. Attorney Office accused Dwight and Steven Hammond of completely different charges, they accused them of being “Terrorist” under the Federal Antiterrorism Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. This act carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of death.
June 22, 2012, Dwight and Steven were found guilty of starting both the 2001 and the 2006 fires by jury. However, the federal courts convicted them both as “Terrorist” under the 1996 Antiterrorism Act. Judge Hogan sentenced Dwight (Father) to 3 months in prison and Steven (son) to 12 months in federal prison. They were also stipulated to pay $400,000 to the BLM. Hogan overruling the minimum terrorist sentence, commenting that if the full five years were required it would be a violation of the 8th amendment (cruel and unusual punishment). The day of the sentencing Judge Hogan retired as a federal judge.
On January 4,, 2013, Dwight and Steven reported to prison. They fulfilled their sentences, (Dwight 3 months, Steven 12 months). Dwight was released in March 2013 and Steven, January 2014.
Sometime in June 2014, Rhonda Karges, Field Manager for the BLM, and her husband Chad Karges, Refuge Manager for the Malheur Wildlife Refuge (which surrounds the Hammond ranch), along with attorney Frank Papagni filed an appeal with the 9th District Federal Court seeking Dwight’s and Steven’s return to federal prison for the entire 5 years.
In October 2015, the 9th District Court “resentenced” Dwight and Steven, requiring them to return to prison for several more years.
There are reports that the Hammonds themselves are prepared to return to prison and are not part of the occupation of the federal building. They issued a public statement by their lawyer, in a letter to the Sheriff dated December 11, 2015, saying:
Neither Ammon Bundy nor anyone in his group/organization speaks for the Hammond Family, Dwight Hammond or Steven Hammond. In addition, I wish to report to you that, as recently ordered by the District Court, District of Oregon, Dwight Hammond and Steven Hammond intend to voluntarily report to the designated federal facility on January 4, 2016, as required.
In phone interviews from inside the occupied building Saturday night, Ammon Bundy and his brother, Ryan Bundy, said they are not looking to hurt anyone. But they would not rule out violence if police tried to remove them, they said. “The facility has been the tool to do all the tyranny that has been placed upon the Hammonds,” Ammon Bundy said.
Neither man would say how many people are in the building or whether they are armed. Ryan Bundy said there were no hostages, but the group is demanding that the Hammonds be released and the federal government relinquish control of the Malheur National Forest.
He said many would be willing to fight and die if necessary to defend what they see as constitutionally protected rights for states, counties and individuals to manage local lands. Ammon Bundy posted a video on his Facebook page calling on patriots from across the country to report to the refuge with their weapons. Below the video is this statement: “ALL PATRIOTS ITS TIME TO STAND UP NOT STAND DOWN!!! WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! COME PREPARED.”
Among those joining Bundy in the occupation are Ryan Payne, U.S. Army veteran, and Blaine Cooper. Payne has claimed to have helped organize militia snipers to target federal agents in a standoff last year in Nevada.
The Sipsy Street Irregulars are not impressed by the actions of the Bundy group. See “Perfect timing for the regime. Federal provocateurs, sociopaths and idiots with a John Brown complex are writing checks that they expect the rest of us to cash in our blood.”
Meanwhile the Oathkeepers have issued the following statement
“We cannot force ourselves or our protection on people who do not want it. Dwight and Steven Hammond have made it clear, through their attorney, that they just want to turn themselves in and serve out their sentence. And that clear statement of their intent should be the end of the discussion on this. No patriot group or individual has the right or the authority to force an armed stand off on this family, or around them, against their wishes. You cannot help someone who does not want your help, and who are not willing and ready to take a hard stand themselves.”
Video- Ammond Bundy makes a call for patriots to join them in Burns Oregon.
Story researched from various internet news sources including Breitbart News.
TrueblueNZ 
This could be the place!
This could be the time!
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The MSM and liberals are now calling for the Patriots to in effect be executed in cold blood by Obama as seditious terrorist traitors!
To that there can be only one response: an armed, Constitutional response!
If not now, then when?
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Can you see the lack of unity here? The farmers want to go back to prison. The Sipsey street boys are calling the guys in the building loons. The Oathkeepers say there’s nothing here to fight for.
These guys in the building have gone out on a limb and everyone you would think might support them is running away.
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These people seem like decent hard working citizens,and some have served their country in the military which is a good thing,but they cant occupy a Government building illeagly just because they dont agree with a dscision by a court authorised by their own constitution.
They are posting videos in fully military gear holding weapons, which makes them just as bad as those filthy murdering Islamic scum bags,so my advice is to not act like terrorist like the Muslim terrorist do,but lay down their arms and take their objections to a proper court authorised by their own Constitution.
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The decision is not authorised by the Constitution.
The court is not authorised by the Constitution.
The president is not authorised by the Constitution.
If true Constitutional American Citizens cannot even take back their own land, how do you ever image they will be able to take back the country?
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Angry have you given any thought to declaring independence and setting up an independent republic.
The main problem is that it would be seen as a threat to the Government and actively crushed.
The freedom to chose is very limited.
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It may be to little to late.
The US is already well under way to martial law.
Not sure what the Government side of the story is, but the farmers are accusing a Government agency of abuse of power and corruption. There does seem to be some sympathy from the original sentencing Judge, and the Sheriff.
But to charge some one, with and act of terrorism, for back burning a fire several years earlier, seems a bit harsh. Then to appeal the sentence seems vindictive and an abuse of power.
What is needed is a proper investigation into the whole saga, from the beginning.
Because it is starting to look like Government oppression of a group of citizens, using anti terrorism laws.
Disagreeing with the Government should not make you a terrorist.
Remember one persons Terrorist is another persons freedom fighter.
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We’ve got reinforcements – the Pacific Patriot Network has joined in – fully armed, well regulated, ex military, and ready to defend liberty and the constitution!
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I admire your passion and zeal but you have to remember you will be up against the combined fire power of the US Federal Govt and you wont stand a chance, better to let the coutrs decide or face the prospect og getting blasted into oblivion.
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Don’t let it be in vain!
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It sounds to me that a little kinetic action around Rhonda and Chad would sort out the problem without too much loss of life. These DOC types think they own the land they are employed to manage. I’ve come across a few before….
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And now the feds went in an shot everybody.
THANKS OBAMA!
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If one asks the question, “WHY did the BLM start a Land Consolidation Program in 2010?” {after h. clinton returned from China in 2009},
and follow the timeline of the Hammond’s intensified persecution beginning in June of 2010, an enquiring mind might start to wonder…
Were the Hammonds’ targeted as a test case in Oregon ?
The following timeline of events merging in 2010 (the indictment against the Hammond’s was June 2010 ) gives one pause to wonder…
Sources and links have been incorporated into the article: if the reader questions the source, an easy google search will verify other
sources/links that report the same data. Here goes, it’s long, but if you read it all, you might wonder….
Were the Hammonds’ targeted as a federal test case for BLM’s 2010 Land Agenda?
THE TRAIL OF COLLUSION AGAINST THE HAMMONDS
In August of 1994, when BLM and FWS falsely arrested Dwight and Steve Hammond for protecting their legally owned water rights,
Mr. Hammond did not counter sue for damages and false arrest. He went back to ranching
Interim actions of BLM from 1994 to 2006 included arbitrary revocation of 3 (three) separate grazing rights held by Hammonds.
http://tekgnosis.typepad.com/t…
In August of 2006 BLM Ranger Orr and FWS had Sheriff Dave Glerup arrest Dwight and Steve Hammond.
The local county prosecutor reviewed all charges and declined to prosecute.
District Attorney Tim Colahan dismissed all 2006 charges after reviewing them, and allowed the charges to move into statutory expiration.
In June of 2010, acting preemptively before the statue of limitations expired from the 2006 dismissal by District Attorney Tim Colahan,
BLM re-filed ,adding on an additional 17 counts.
Indictment United States v. Hammond et al, No. 6:10-cr-60066-HO filed 2010-06-17 chief Judge Ann L. Aiken
This is where one could say, after they knew Amanda Marshall was going to end up being their prosecuting attorney:
After all, four (4) different US Attorney’s for the state of Oregon in less than 16 months
is nothing short of ludicrous. One could also say the three preceding US Oregon State Attorney’s refused to prosecute
the Hammonds’, and that is why they didn’t get to keep the position.
[It is imperative to remember the Hammond’s are the last private landholders in and around Mahler Refuge].
Let’s take a look at the timelines involved for Ms.(Sally) Amanda Marshall appearing on the scene in 2010.
From October 2003 to July 2009, Karen Immergut was the U.S. Attorney for Oregon: she resigned
From July 2009 to Feb.3, 2010, Kent Robinson was the interim U.S. Attorney for Oregon. After 7 short months, he was replaced.
From Feb. 5, 2010 to ________, Dwight C, Holton was the interim U.S. Attorney for Oregon
http://www.mainjustice.com/201…
Nov. 17, 2010 Obama nominates Amanda Marshall as U.S. Attorney for Oregon
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the…
How did S. Amanda Marshall, a sub-par attorney in the child advocacy section, with no federal prosecution experience, get to U.S. Attorney for Oregon?
The ten (10) candidates that applied for the position were:
1. Dwight Holton – Oregon interim U.S. Attorney from Feb.5, 2010
(until Amanda Marshall).
Known for his tough prosecution of environmental crimes
Endorsed by Oregon Sheriff’s and Oregon’s State Police Officer’s Association. http://www.holtonfororegon.com…
2. Kent Robinson – Oregon interim U.S. Attorney from July 2009 to Feb.3, 2010. Thirty years experience in the Justice Dept.
3. Josh Marquis – Clatsop County district attorney
4. John Foote – Clackamas County district attorney
5. Rob Bovett – Lincoln County district attorney
6. John Haroldson – Benton County district attorney
7. Ken Perry – Portland lawyer
8. Robert Hutchings – Lane County public defender
9. John Hummel – Portland lawyer
10. Amanda Marshall – child advocate lawyer. Attended East China University of Politics and Law in Shanghai.
http://www.mainjustice.com/tag…
By October 28, 2009, three applicants remained on the list: Josh Marquis, Kent Robinson, and Amanda Marshall.
http://www.mainjustice.com/200…
Kent Robinson withdrew his application for unnamed reasons, and the final list submitted to the White House included only Josh Marquis and S. Amanda Marshall.
Amanda Marshall…”may as well have had an inappropriate working relationship with Judge Aiken that should have potentially led to Judge Aiken to recuse herself from the Hammond re-sentencing.
Prior to being nominated by President Barack Obama as U.S. District Attorney Amanda Marshall worked for the Oregon Department of Justice in Child Advocacy Services. Judge Aiken has been the presiding President of the Child Advocacy Services Board since 1998.
Take into account that the only testimony used to establish “malicious intent” on part of the Hammonds derived from Dusty Hammond,
Dwight Hammond’s grandson, a mentally incompetent 13 year old whose case has been overseen by Child Advocacy Services and
the potential for wrongful collusion begins to crystallize.
Initially in the trial Dusty Hammonds testimony was disqualified by Judge Mike Hogan due to his mental capacity.
Despite this Dusty Hammonds testimony is assumed to have been used by Judge Aiken in determining malicious intent
by the Hammonds to qualify them under the terrorism statute for re-sentencing.”
It is also known that Dusty himself lit the matches that caused the fire which he himself stated he thought was going to burn him up.
There are those who believe Amanda Marshall, prior child advocate, (experienced in ‘liberating’ children from parental control), coerced and manipulated Dusty into false narrative in the courtroom, promising
him immunity from setting the fire for giving such testimony.
The reader needs to be aware Dusty Hammond had been living with his grandparents. Dusty was
either unwilling or unable to live with his own parents, who set guidelines for his behavior.
“This is not the first instance of Judge Aiken potentially failing to acknowledge inappropriate relationships when presiding over a case.
In a 2013 complaint of Judicial Misconduct filed against Judge Aiken, a class action by Oregon lawyers against the Oregon State Bar,
the Supreme Court of Oregon Chief Justice Thomas Balmer and Jeff Sapiro, it is alleged Aiken failed to disclose similar relationships.
It is clear that Judge Aiken has a vested interest, politically, judicially and personally in the Malhuer Reserve and in all likely hood
should have not presided over this appeal,” considering her ties to the situation and the key individuals involved.”
https://shastalantern.net/2016…
BLM CHECKERBOARD LAND ACQUISITION PLAN
2010 was also a pivotal year for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Congressman Rob Bishop (Utah) discovered their plans in missing pages not submitted to Congress. http://robbishop.house.gov/.
Bishop is the Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
http://robbishop.house.gov/new…
( Page 19 Attachment 6 Internal Draft NOT FOR RELEASE BLM LAND CONSOLIDATION OF ITS CHECKERBOARDED LANDS)
Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, California
The fact that these missing pages of BLM’s plans to consolidate all its’ checkerboarded lands were not submitted for approval to Congress cannot help
but lend credence to their illegal activities and collusion with local authorities to acquire Hammonds’ ranch.
Again: Hammonds’ are the last private landholders around Mahler Refuge.
More Political Incest: Jake Klonoski is an Attorney Advisor in the Department of the Inspector General 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ja…
In 1978 (judge) Ann Aiken married James Klonoski, and Jake Klonoski is their son.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is where Amanda Marshall submitted her appeal to send the Hammonds’ back to prison for more jail time.
“In order to re-sentence the Hammonds as terrorists the United States Government had to file an appeal Under 18 U.S. Code 3742 (B).
According to the code; “…The Government may not further prosecute such appeal without the personal approval of the Attorney General, the Inspector General,
or a deputy inspector general designated by the Inspector General.
The same Inspector General where Jake Klonoski is employed as a key Attorney Adviser.”
http://www.fourwinds10.net/sit…
Only 1% of the 5,000 odd appeals are ever picked to be heard in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
“Each year the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals receives upwards of 5,000 requests for a new hearing before all the court’s judges, said Kelly Zusman, appellate chief for the U.S. attorney’s office in Oregon. The judges only hear about 1 percent of those requests. “They grant very, very few,” she said.” http://www.bendbulletin.com/lo…
“Judge Aiken was also the presiding Judge in a 2006 case that overturned several key provisions of the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000 which she found violated the supremacy of the Federal Environmental Protection Act.”
http://www.fourwinds10.net/sit…
“A management plan that the Hammonds were key in helping construct.”
“It should be noticed that the Hammonds, as acknowledged by Congressman Walden, were instrumental in development
of the co-operative plan.” http://agenda21radio.com/?p=23…
Judge Aiken’s decision weighed heavily based on affidavit testimony by Harney County Judge Stephen Grasty, whose actions
have come into question and extreme scrutiny since the occupation began.”
Harney County ‘judge’ Stephen Grasty, has a brother that is a BLM supervisor.
http://wn.com/blm_oregon_judge…
Steve Grasty is not a real ‘judge’ in the legal, judiciary sense.
Harney County, Oregon has a strange system (yes, there are a lot of things in Harney County that are not normal) where the three elected country commissioners (of which Steve Grasty is one), refer to the third
commissioner as ‘judge’. This is an administrative body, NOT judicial. http://www.co.harney.or.us/
The Real Judiciary system in Harney County, Oregon is called Harney County CIRCUIT Court.
http://courts.oregon.gov/Harne…
Harney County BLM Manager is Rhonda Karges, who is married to Chad Karges, the manager of Mahler Wildlife Refuge.
http://tekgnosis.typepad.com/t…
The BLM expended no monies or efforts in putting out the 139 acres of fire they accused the Hammonds’ of deliberately setting.
So why the $400,000 fine the Hammonds’ were forced to pay?
The State of Oregon has its’ own wildfire insurance policy through Lloyd’s of London.
So why the $400,000 fine the Hammonds’ were forced to pay?
http://www.bendbulletin.com/lo…
If the BLM and corrupt county officials that perjured themselves were not guilty of collusion in their agenda to obtain
the last checkerboarded piece of land in and around Mahler Wildlife Refuge, why did they insist on being first in line to buy the Hammond’s ranch?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
There is more ‘evidence’: 12-31-2015 affidavit filed stating Assistant US Prosecutor Papagni called Kendra Matthews and Lawrence Matasar (Hammonds attorneys)
and that Papagni told Hammonds’ attorney’s if the Hammond’s made any ‘fuss’, they would be reporting to a harder prison and at a much earlier report date. PDF court document
Other information: No ‘fire arson’ experts were ever produced to testify against the Hammonds’. It was just BLM saying it was arson.
No deer bones, or other evidence was ever produced by prosecution against the Hammonds’.
(deer bones aren’t going to burn up in a simple grass fire)
If the ‘hunting party’ allegedly witnessed this ( the hunting guide’s permit comes from BLM), it would seem odd
why none of them popped out their cell phones, or camera’s to take pictures of such alleged crimes
Note: Most people think Frank Papagni prosecuted the Hammond’s: but he was Assistant US Attorney for Oregon.
Amanda Marshall, State US Attorney for Oregon, was his boss.
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