OREGON STANDOFF: JON RITZHEIMER SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR AND ONE DAY AFTER EARLIER GUILTY PLEA
The federal prosecutors wanted a two year sentence but US District Judge Anna J. Brown opted for one year and day in prison for Jon Ritzheimer for his role in last year's Oregon Standoff protest.
She also ordered combat veteran Ritzheimer to a 12 month residential re-entry program.
Judge Brown cited his military service and PTSD related issues in her sentencing.
Jon Ritzheimer posted a video online right before he traveled to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to begin his participation in the Oregon Standoff protest. It was a very distrurbing video suggesting violence and death were in his future.
Of course LaVoy Finicum was killed and Ryan Bundy injured by the FBI-law enforcement side of the standoff, but the video suggested that Mr. Ritzheimer himself was disturbed.
I certainly agree with Judge Brown's sentiments about Ritzheimer getting his life together.
Ritzheimer made comments along the lines of apology and amends for his participation in the protest and I have no arguments with that. If that's part of him getting his life back together then that's good.
He said regarding the protest "There has to be a better way" and I think we find that "better way" in the sentiments of the man who led the protest and was found not guilty after he told the jurors why he led the Oregon Standoff.
Ammon Bundy said he came to Harney County, Oregon to "love thy neighbor" as in Dwight and Steven Hammond, Oregon ranchers ordered back to federal prison to serve five year mandatory terrorism sentences for lighting a backfire to protect their land.
Sometimes disturbed people and FBI informants show up at protests and cause problems like they did in Oregon, suggesting or promoting violence.
But the purpose was good and pure and the leadership did not come to cause harm or violence, only to bring some justice for the Hammonds.
When will Washington act to free them?
Jon Ritzheimer posted a video online right before he traveled to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to begin his participation in the Oregon Standoff protest. It was a very distrurbing video suggesting violence and death were in his future.
Of course LaVoy Finicum was killed and Ryan Bundy injured by the FBI-law enforcement side of the standoff, but the video suggested that Mr. Ritzheimer himself was disturbed.
I certainly agree with Judge Brown's sentiments about Ritzheimer getting his life together.
Ritzheimer made comments along the lines of apology and amends for his participation in the protest and I have no arguments with that. If that's part of him getting his life back together then that's good.
He said regarding the protest "There has to be a better way" and I think we find that "better way" in the sentiments of the man who led the protest and was found not guilty after he told the jurors why he led the Oregon Standoff.
Ammon Bundy said he came to Harney County, Oregon to "love thy neighbor" as in Dwight and Steven Hammond, Oregon ranchers ordered back to federal prison to serve five year mandatory terrorism sentences for lighting a backfire to protect their land.
Sometimes disturbed people and FBI informants show up at protests and cause problems like they did in Oregon, suggesting or promoting violence.
But the purpose was good and pure and the leadership did not come to cause harm or violence, only to bring some justice for the Hammonds.
When will Washington act to free them?
(UPDATED EARLY SATURDAY)
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