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 U.S. Magistrate Judge George Foley Jr. entered the pleas for the
defendants, including Bundy brothers Ammon and Ryan who were
arrested earlier this year after leading a separate armed standoff
in Oregon, after they refused to enter pleas themselves.
Not guilty pleas on charges including obstruction, conspiracy and
assault were also entered for defendants Blaine Cooper, Brian
Cavalier and Ryan Payne at Friday's arraignment. Cliven Bundy and 13
others previously pleaded not guilty in the case.
Attorneys for the men declined to comment after the hours-long
hearing, where the full 63-page indictment was read aloud.
Prosecutors have said Cliven Bundy trespassed on federal lands for
over 20 years, refusing to secure the necessary permits or pay the
required fees the government charges ranchers to let their cattle
graze on U.S.-owned public property.
 In an enforcement action just over two years ago, the U.S. Bureau of
Land Management sent armed rangers to Bundy's ranch about 80 miles
(129 km) northeast of Las Vegas to confiscate his cattle.
Anti-government groups and other supporters rallied to Bundy's
defense. In an armed standoff on April 12, 2014, along Interstate
15, they confronted federal agents, who ultimately backed down and
returned the cattle they had seized.
Cliven Bundy was arrested this February at the Portland
International Airport after arriving there on his way to show
support for anti-government militants who had taken over the Malheur
National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon.
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His sons Ammon and Ryan Bundy led that 41-day standoff, which was
sparked by the return to prison of two Oregon ranchers convicted of
setting fires that spread to federal property in the vicinity of the
refuge.
One of the leaders of the Oregon occupation, Robert "LaVoy" Finicum,
was killed by Oregon State Police on Jan. 26 after he ran from his
pickup truck at a roadblock along a snow-covered roadside during the
occupation.
A total of 26 people have been charged over the Oregon occupation,
including several who were also involved in the 2014 Nevada
standoff.
The Bundy family has become popular for groups challenging federal
control over vast stretches of public land in the West.
(Reporting by Blaze Lovell in Las Vegas; Writing by Curtis Skinner;
Editing by Leslie Adler)
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