Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Trump pardons ranchers whose case sparked Bundy takeover of Oregon refuge

President Donald Trump pardoned two men on Tuesday who were involved in a dispute with federal authorities over federal land usage that sparked the takeover of a wildlife refuge in Oregon. Dwight Hammond Jr. and his son Steven Hammond were granted executive grants of clemency by Trump, according to a White House statement. The father-son duo are cattle ranchers and were convicted in 2012 of committing arson on federal lands in Oregon. "Justice is overdue for Dwight and Steven Hammond, both of whom are entirely deserving of these Grants of Executive Clemency," the statement read. The Trump White House took aim at the Obama administration as well, adding that it filed an "overzealous appeal" that led to the two men's five-year prison sentence: "This was unjust." Dwight Hammond has served approximately three years in prison, and his son Steven has served four years, according to the White House...MORE 

Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Executive Clemency for Dwight and Steven Hammond

Today, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Grants of Clemency (Full Pardons) for Dwight Lincoln Hammond, Jr., and his son, Steven Hammond.  The Hammonds are multi-generation cattle ranchers in Oregon imprisoned in connection with a fire that leaked onto a small portion of neighboring public grazing land.  The evidence at trial regarding the Hammonds’ responsibility for the fire was conflicting, and the jury acquitted them on most of the charges.
At the Hammonds’ original sentencing, the judge noted that they are respected in the community and that imposing the mandatory minimum, 5-year prison sentence would “shock the conscience” and be “grossly disproportionate to the severity” of their conduct.  As a result, the judge imposed significantly lesser sentences.  The previous administration, however, filed an overzealous appeal that resulted in the Hammonds being sentenced to five years in prison.  This was unjust.
Dwight Hammond is now 76 years old and has served approximately three years in prison.  Steven Hammond is 49 and has served approximately four years in prison.  They have also paid $400,000 to the United States to settle a related civil suit.  The Hammonds are devoted family men, respected contributors to their local community, and have widespread support from their neighbors, local law enforcement, and farmers and ranchers across the West.  Justice is overdue for Dwight and Steven Hammond, both of whom are entirely deserving of these Grants of Executive Clemency.

 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Where is the outrage? It took a city boy (President Trump) to see that an injustice had been done. Hurray for the President, a real friend of the little guy.

Anonymous said...

Check out articles on Fox News & Daily Caller....someone's been posting some fact flinging re what's behind the Hammond case & it's causing a little outrage amongst the urban audience.... finally.