Judge places Oregon refuge occupier Geoffrey Stanek on home detention, 2 years probation

A federal judge on Monday sentenced Oregon refuge occupier Geoffrey Stanek, described as one of the more minor players indicted in the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, to two years of probation, including six months of home detention. U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown said the home detention was warranted, partly to ensure Stanek doesn't respond again to a "call to arms'' from Facebook acquaintances on behalf of "We the People." Geoffrey Stanek "You're free to think what you choose, but your conduct crossed the line,'' the judge said. "I need to be sure you won't take it upon yourself to answer that type of call again. ... You need to put this chapter behind you. You need to respect the law, whether you agree with it or not.'' The judge said she considered that Stanek entered a guilty plea early to a federal conspiracy charge last year and that he didn't withdraw his plea after occupation leaders who went to trial were acquitted last fall. The fact that he heeded the FBI's request that he and others leave the refuge the night of Jan. 26, 2016, after the arrests of Ammon Bundy and others leaders, also worked in his favor, the judge said. "On the other hand, you were part of the problem,'' Brown told Stanek. Stanek, 27, brought an AR-15 rifle and a body armor vest to the refuge on Jan. 7, 2016, after learning of the takeover on Facebook. There, he performed armed guard duty in the watchtower and at the refuge entrances. He also blocked a refuge entrance with an ATV belonging to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service...more