LAS VEGAS — The Department of Justice on Thursday reported a Nevada grand jury has charged 14 more defendants in connection to the 2014 standoff with federal law enforcement in Bunkerville.
Among the 14 are two of rancher Cliven Bundy’s sons, Melvin Bundy, 41, and David Bundy, 39.
KVUU reports the April 2014 standoff occurred when Bureau of Land Management attempted to remove Cliven Bundy’s cows from public lands.
“This investigation began the day after the assault against federal law enforcement officers and continues to this day. We will continue to work to identify the assaulters and their role in the assault and the aftermath, in order to ensure that justice is served,” said Daniel G. Bogden, U.S. attorney for the District of Nevada.
Twelve of the new defendants were arrested Thursday. Two of the new defendants, Brian Cavalier and Blaine Cooper, were already in federal custody in Oregon.
There are now 19 defendants charged, and five of Cliven Bundy’s six children with Carol Bundy are now behind bars.
FOX5 recently spoke with Melvin Bundy, who told us he wasn’t going to be taken alive.
“After they take me they’re going to take this land, and I promise you you’re next,” 17-year-old Arden Bundy said in a video released after he learned his brothers Melvin Bundy and David Bundy had been taken into custody.
Ryan Bundy and Ammon Bundy were taken into custody in late January. Cliven Bundy was arrested in February.
“Rights we are born with they are taking, and we as Americans are standing by and letting this happen,” Arden Bundy said.
Melvin Bundy’s wife told KVUU that he was in Phoenix when authorities took him in. FOX5 last spoke with Melvin Bundy on Feb. 11.
“If they can take a man’s rights away from running cattle on his land, then the federal government can take your rights away just as well,” Melvin Bundy said.
No one in the Bundy family wanted to speak on camera Thursday.
An indictment charges that Cliven Bundy was the leader, organizer and chief beneficiary of “conspiratorial operations.” The others are charged as leaders and organizers who conspired with Cliven Bundy to “achieve his criminal objectives.”
If convicted, the Bundys face more than $3 million in fines and their land could be seized.
