Cliven Bundy, the father of the jailed leader of the Oregon refuge occupation and who was the center of a standoff with federal officials in Nevada in 2014, was arrested in Portland, the FBI said.
Authorities arrested the 74-year-old Nevada rancher after he arrived at Portland International Airport from Las Vegas Wednesday night. He was booked into the lockup just before 11 p.m., according to Multnomah County Jail records. No charges were listed and his projected release date was listed as unknown.
The FBI confirmed Bundy was taken into federal custody but declined to provide a reason or other details, saying further information would be released by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Las Vegas, which did not respond to a phone call early Thursday.
The Oregonian reported Bundy will face a conspiracy charge of interfering with a federal officer related to the stalemate at his ranch in 2014.
In March of that year, Bundy clashed with federal officials over grazing rights on government land. Federal officials eventually backed away from seizing his cattle, but the dispute remains unresolved.
The Bureau of Land Management says the family has not made payments toward a $1.1 million grazing fee and penalty bill.
In the 2014 showdown, Cliven Bundy justified his actions in religious terms, saying that he decided to challenge federal agents after praying for guidance.
Armed group leader Ammon Bundy had been demanding that the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon be handed over to local control for ranching, mining, logging and other uses and that that two jailed ranchers in the area be freed.
Authorities arrested Ammon Bundy, his brother Ryan Bundy and other group leaders as they traveled to a community meeting Jan. 26 north of the refuge when authorities set up a road block.
Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, the group’s spokesman, was killed in a confrontation with the FBI and Oregon State Police on the remote road.
Bundy and others arrested in conjunction with the standoff face felony charges of conspiracy to impede federal officials in their official duties through the use of force, intimidation or threats.
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