LAS VEGAS (AP) — Four co-defendants pleaded not guilty yesterday to federal charges stemming from an armed standoff with government agents outside Nevada cattleman Cliven Bundy's ranch two years ago.
A magistrate judge postponed arraignment until Monday for one of the Nevada rancher's adult sons, Mel Bundy.
Gregory Burleson, Micah McGuire, Joseph O'Shaughnessy and Jason David Woods each had a lawyer appointed for him, and each pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy, assault, obstruction, weapon possession and threatening federal officers.
Each remains in federal custody.
They're named among 19 people including Cliven Bundy in a 16-count federal indictment stemming from the gunpoint confrontation that stopped federal agents from rounding up cattle in Bunkerville in April 2014.
Convictions could get each of them decades in prison.
Meanwhile, Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy wants to ask a federal judge today to release him from jail pending trial. Prosecutors say Bundy already had a detention hearing in Oregon and isn't entitled to another one in Las Vegas.
Bundy's court appearance last week drew about 100 demonstrators supporting his fight against federal control of vast areas in the West.
Bundy denies U.S. government authority over rangeland around his property.