Trial date unclear for Plains man charged in refuge standoff

While some defendants have been acquitted of charges that resulted from a 41-day occupation and standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, a Plains man is among seven defendants still waiting to go to trial.

Federal officials filed paperwork last week notifying a federal court in Oregon that they intend to file “various Class B misdemeanors against the defendants, including trespassing, tampering with vehicles and equipment, and destruction of property.”

Jake Ryan, 27, was already facing counts of conspiracy to impede officers of the United States, possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities, and depredation of government property.

Ryan was set to go to trial on Feb. 14, but federal prosecutors in the case have asked for a 60-day extension.

“The government requests this continuance to permit additional time to prepare for trial and litigate pretrial motions for this multi-defendant case,” wrote assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight. “Furthermore, the government recommends this continuance to allow the publicity from the first trial to dissipate, which will aid in the empanelment of an unbiased and impartial jury.”

Ryan’s attorney, Jesse Merrithew, wrote in a Dec. 13 filing that he does not think time will make a difference.

“I have no reason to believe that a 60-day delay will have any effect on the prejudice I previously identified stemming from the public reaction to the first jury verdict,” Merrithew wrote.

He noted that defense counselors in the case have scheduling conflicts with the case through August.

According to court documents, Ryan and other defendants set for trial have all been released from custody as the case progresses.