Oregon wildlife refuge occupier from Montana arrested

THOMPSON FALLS, Montana — The Sanders County Sheriff says a wanted man with Montana ties is now in custody on charges stemming from the occupation of a wildlife refuge in Eastern Oregon.

Jake Ryan was wanted by federal authorities for his involvement in the occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge that lasted about six weeks last winter.

Ryan and another man were accused of using heavy equipment to dig a latrine for the protesters through a Native American archeological site.

Last month, Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel tried to calm Plains area residents who may have been alarmed by rumors federal officers had been operating in the Lower Clark Fork Valley as they searched for Ryan. At the time, he said he had been in touch with Ryan’s family to work toward a “peaceful resolution”, but didn’t believe Ryan was in Sanders County.

Today, Rummel posted a follow up on his Facebook page, saying he’d learned Ryan had been arrested in the Vancouver, Washington area north of Portland by Clark County deputies. He had no other details on the arrest.

Ryan is one of two Montana men involved in the January occupation. 32-year-old Ryan Payne of Anaconda is also being held on federal charges.