Plains resident wanted in connection to Oregon standoff, sheriff hopes for 'peaceful resolution'

PLAINS — Local and federal authorities are in negotiations for the safe arrest of Jake Ryan, according to the sheriff of Sanders County.

The FBI issued an arrest warrant for Ryan on Monday and contacted his family on Tuesday morning, according to a member of Ryan's family.

Ryan is wanted for his alleged involvement at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge standoff in Oregon.

A federal judge released Ryan’s name Monday as the 26th defendant charged with digging a trench with heavy equipment in a Native American archeological site, according to several sources.

Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel issued a statement on Monday calling for a peaceful resolution between authorities with non-violence, and to protect the rights of Jake Ryan.

“With that said, I want you to know that Federal Officers have not operated in the county without my knowledge,” Rummel said in the statement.

“At this point in time, I have no evidence to suggest that Jake Ryan is in this county.”

Jake Ryan, a 25 year-old man and resident of Plains. He lives with his mother and father, Dan and Roxsanna Ryan. His mother told the Associated Press and Rummel she does not know the whereabouts of her son.

As of this writing, the sheriff’s statement was shared over 400 times on Facebook with nearly 200 comments of varying support between the peaceful arrest of Ryan and the call for action to defend Ryan.

Rummel could not be reached for comment on Tuesday afternoon. However, Sanders County dispatcher Bill Brown said Rummel is not in the county.

“[Rummel] is in Helena at a meeting,” Brown said. He could not disclose the reason.

Websites that self-identify as “Patriot Media” are urging the release of Ryan from any wrongdoing.

The Shasta Lantern posted a story on Monday calling for “Patriot intervention”: “THIS IS NOT A PROTEST! HAVE YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER! #DEFENDYOURBASEMONTANA, here’s peaceful distraction before the actual action.”

Rummel also said in the statement that he was receiving 400 calls a day and 100 emails, and asked for citizens to let the matter be handled without interference.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Jake Ryan’s parents were not home, according to Ryan’s sister Taralee, a 16 year-old homeschooled student who lives at the residence.

Ryan said she did not know where her brother was, and the last time she spoke to him was over a month ago. She added that he was safe.

Ryan was asked what she thought of all the attention her brother was getting over the past two days.

“I think it’s seriously messed up,” she said in a brief interview with the Clark Fork Valley Press on Tuesday afternoon.

“I think he shouldn’t be charged because he did absolutely nothing wrong,” Ryan added.

Ryan said she and her brother performed in plays, who at times aspired to be a professional actor.

“He wanted to do filming professionally. He went to Las Vegas a fews times to go for schooling, but it didn’t work out.”

Ryan said that her brother lived on the property until recently, but did not work in town. “He didn’t really have a job,” she said.

Ryan said that her family has a medium-sized property in town, but would not be disclose the location.

“We live in the town of Plains,” she said. “That’s all I’m prepared to say at the moment.”