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.”

###

 
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 over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

News

2016.06.27 - Landscape of Selkirk Mountains - Idaho Panhandle National Forest - Idaho - Jon Knechtel
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams Trump Interior Pick Burgum

Trump made known that he intends to nominate North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior, giving authority of the nation’s public lands, wildlife and natural resources to a leading advocate of oil and gas drilling.
2010.10.28 - Caribou Grazing in Front of Mountains - Alaska - Colin Arisman.jpg
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Defenders Opposes Proposed Illegal Land Exchange in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge

Conservation groups are outraged today by a Department of the Interior’s proposal released today to trade away congressionally-designated wilderness lands within the Izembek National Wildlife
Visit the newsroom