By Glynn Wilson –
PORTLAND, Ore. – Nine additional individuals have been charged by federal indictment and seven were arrested Friday in connection with the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Oregon.
The defendants are scheduled to make appearances in federal court in six states over the next couple of days, according to an announcement just out from the FBI.
Billy J. Williams, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, said two of the defendants remain at large. All nine are charged with one felony count of conspiracy to impede officers of the U.S. from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation or threats.
Those charged include Blaine Cooper, 36, of Humboldt, Arizona; Wesley Kjar, 32, of Utah; Corey Lequieu, 44, of Fallon, Nevada; Neil Wampler, 68, of Los Osos, California; Jason Charles Blomgren, 41, of Murphy, North Carolina, Darryl William Thorn, 31, of Marysville, Washington; and Eric Lee Flores, 22, of Tulip Washington.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ethan Knight and Geoffrey Barrow.
