FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Haley Mckey, 202-772-0247 hmckey@defenders.org

 

PORTLAND, Ore. (March 10, 2017) — A federal jury has convicted occupiers Jason Patrick and Darryl Thorn on felony conspiracy charges for their roles in the 2016 armed takeover of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Defendants Duane Ehmer and Jake Ryan were acquitted of conspiracy, but both were convicted on lesser charges of depredation of government property.

The following is a statement from Former Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark:

“Defenders of Wildlife is glad that justice was finally obtained in this case. The occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was a direct assault on the integrity of the National Wildlife Refuge System and put the lives of federal employees at risk. The jury’s verdict ensures that serious crime against our public lands and federal employees will not go unpunished.”

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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org and follow us on Twitter @DefendersNews.

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

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