Situation Awkward: Standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

"It is time for you to leave our community. Go home, be with your own families and end this peacefully." - Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward

Dwight and Steve Hammond reported to a federal prison on Monday. Image: from Video

(HARNEY COUNTY, Ore.) - Oregon ranchers Dwight and Steve Hammond have left their homes to report to a federal prison on Monday. A Press Conference was held at 3:00 p.m. regarding the status of the peaceful protest turned militia standoff.

Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward made this statement:

"Good afternoon. My name is David Ward, and I am the Sheriff of Harney County.

"The Hammonds have turned themselves in today at 1:37 p.m., in accordance with the law, and are currently in custody at Federal Correctional Institution in California.

"Harney County is a community of approximately 7,000 people; almost 5,000 of us live here in the community of Burns and Hines. This event has had a significant impact on that community.

"Our goal is to work together to restore calm and regular services for the people we serve.

"This incident originally started when people from outside the state arrived in an attempt to prevent the Hammonds from returning to prison. This began as a peaceful protest.

"It took an unfortunate turn when some of those people broke off and began an armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

"The Harney County Commissioners and I have requested law enforcement assistance from Oregon State Sheriff's Association and Oregon State Police.

"Sheriff's Offices from around the state have also sent resources to assist us. We requested this additional support to make sure the citizens of Harney County are safe. This is our top priority.

"I want to directly address the people at the wildlife refuge:

"You said you were here to help the citizens of Harney County. That help ended when a peaceful protest became an armed and unlawful protest. The Hammonds have turned themselves in. It is time for you to leave our community. Go home, be with your own families and end this peacefully."

Both ranchers are faithful, long term Oregon Cattlemen's Association members, according to that organization.

The Oregon Cattlemen's Association has declared that they do not support illegal activity taken against the government but has, and will continue, to support the Hammonds via avenues that are in accordance with the law.

John O'Keeffe, current president of the OCA, said the ranchers in Burns strive to work together with surrounding agencies. "OCA does not support illegal activity taken against the government. This includes militia takeover of government property, such as the Malheur Wildlife Refuge," he said.

OCA's Executive Director, Jerome Rosa, pointed out that the Oregon Cattlemen's Association has supported the Hammonds for some time and does not agree with their current re-sentencing.

"OCA feels the Hammond's situation is a classic case of double jeopardy. The Hammonds were tried and convicted by a jury of their peers and have already served their sentence," Rosa said.

Although the Hammonds have already been sentenced to additional prison time, OCA is continuing to work to find ways to support them.

O'Keeffe mentioned several legal ways the organization is working to provide assistance. "We are circulating an online petition asking the White House to review the Hammonds case." A link to the petition can be found the OCA website or on their social media channels.

"In addition to clemency efforts, we are working through legal avenues to help the Hammonds get their BLM grazing permits restored," said O'Keeffe.

While the Oregon Cattlemen's Association does not agree with the current legal action being taken against the Hammonds, OCA will continue to assist and represent the Hammonds solely through avenues that are in accordance with the law.

Sources: Harney County Sheriff; Oregon Cattlemen's Association; others