Oregon Standoff: Militia ‘Patriot’ Caught Spending Donation Money On A Drinking Binge

Even as Dwight Hammond and his son Steve, for whom a group of about 300 anti-government protesters are occupying the headquarters of a federal wildlife reserve in Oregon since December 2, turned themselves in to police in California, Joe Oshaugnessy, an Arizona militiaman actively raising money and seeking volunteers through social media to join the occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, left the refuge on December 6 to stay at a nearby motel and was seen drinking alcohol with the donation money received to support the armed militants.

According to Maureen Peltier, a disabled National Guard woman who claims to be the group’s official spokeswoman, Jon Ritzheimer, the Arizona militiaman known for organizing anti-Muslim rallies and fundraising through his “Rogue Infidel” page, went over to the motel where other pseudo-supporters have been staying to confirm Oshaugnessy’s desertion and found him spending the donation money on a drinking binge.

In a Facebook post that he has since removed, Cai Irvin, another militant, announced Oshaungnessy’s or Capt. O’s departure.

“Ritzheimer did call me — he’s f*cking pissed, he’s mad, he’s upset. He told me to tell all of you that Joe Oshaugnessy is a deserter and a coward. It’s like finding out there is no such thing as Santa. Come on, man.”

Oshaungnessy, meanwhile, wrote on Facebook that a “smear campaign” had been launched against him.

“Because I have been vocal about not supporting the actions taken by the individuals inside the compound apparently they have desired to launch a smear Campaign against me. Even though I am one of the only Patriots on the outside doing everything I can to try and prevent this from turning into another Wako [sic] And making sure to protect the safety of all involved. To what I say my reputation is sterling.”

Are the protesters real?

Ha! Oregon Militia Standoff: Q: What are the protesters’ demands? A: $5 million in cash and safe passage to 1874. https://t.co/TpsWK6OH0b

— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) January 5, 2016

Bundy solicited a $530,000 Federal loan guarantee for his business, but he now leads standoff https://t.co/MY7uFcqjf7 #OregonUnderAttack

— Raymond de Groat (@raydegroat) January 8, 2016

According to The Daily Mail, Brian Cavalier, the personal bodyguard of Cliven and Ammon Bundy who are leading the armed militia, has been posing as a Marine who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, but he has faked his military background to appear more credible as a militia henchman. According to police records, Cavalier has been arrested several times for DUI (Driving under the Influence) and one case of ‘extreme DUI’ in Arizona. According to US Marine Corp records Cavalier has never served as a Marine, be it as a recruit or a Marine Corps contractor.

Is the protest just?

“They’re terrorizing Burns.” Locals weigh in on the ongoing militia standoff in Burns, Oregon: https://t.co/yikFYhx19v

— AJ+ (@ajplus) January 6, 2016

Conservationists say the takeover stemming from the arson conviction of Dwight and Steve Hammond is at odds with conservative principles of land preservation. David Jenkins, president of Virginia-based Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, said:

“People need to understand that the Bundy strain of radicalism is anti-American and dangerous. They are trampling on the rights of every American. They are the opposite of conservative, and they will continue to bully, threaten and test the limits of civil society until they are stopped.”

Will the standoff end?

In an interview posted on his family’s Facebook page, Bundy said the group would leave when the federal government allows local ranchers to use their land the way they want to.

But Bundy also told The Oregonian that the protesters occupying the reserve would not rule out violence if the police stormed the facility.

“We’re planning on staying here for years, absolutely. This is not a decision we’ve made at the last minute.”

In the latest development, during a meeting at a neutral site, Harney County Sheriff David Ward offered to escort Ammon Bundy and his group of occupiers out of Oregon, but Bundy declined saying that he would consider Ward’s position, but the sheriff had not addressed their grievances. “We always consider what people say.”

ICYMI: This is why the protesters are occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge:

Will the week-long standoff fall apart due to infighting between group members, or will it end with a bang?

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