Four Remaining Oregon Occupiers, Surrounded by FBI, Turn Themselves In

The four remaining occupiers at an Oregon wildlife refuge surrendered Thursday morning after hours of tense negotiations, bringing an end to the weekslong protest over land rights and personal liberties.

Federal officials said Jeff Banta, Sean Anderson, Sandy Anderson and David Fry were taken in without incident after FBI agents surrounded the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge overnight. A total of 25 people, including the holdouts, have been indicted on a charge of conspiracy to interfere with federal workers.

The occupation came to an emotionally heated conclusion as Fry, the last to leave, threatened suicide in a phone conversation that streamed live on YouTube.

"Unless my grievances are heard I will not surrender," Fry screamed. "Liberty or death."

All four arrested are expected to face an arraignment before a magistrate judge in Portland on Friday. The ring leaders, Ammon and Ryan Bundy, and other protesters were arrested last month.

Contact Us