Posted on 06/02/2017 3:48:18 AM PDT by Cowman
Jerry DeLemus of Rochester, who pleaded guilty in connection with Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy's armed standoff in 2014, was given a more harsh federal prison sentence Wednesday than prosecutors asked for after the judge called him a "bully vigilante."
DeLemus, the 62-year-old co-chairman of President Trump's 2016 New Hampshire campaign veterans' coalition, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison on two charges — conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S. and interstate travel in aid of extortion.
Since his arrest, DeLemus has been in a federal prison for nearly 15 months.
DeLemus was the first prison sentence in the Bundy case. Another 18 arrested in connection with the standoff are in custody.
After his arrest in March 2016, prosecutors called DeLemus a "mid-level leader and organizer of the conspiracy."
Federal prosecutors had asked for DeLemus to receive a six-year prison term after he pleaded guilty last August.
But Judge Gloria Navarro cited DeLemus' attempt to withdraw that plea and his refusal to be remorseful as reasons she went above that recommendation.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, prior to sentencing DeLemus told the court he would do it all again, except for bringing firearms across the country.
He said he joined up with the Bundy armed standoff soon after it began and believed government snipers had surrounded Bundy's home.
For more than a month, DeLemus was in the encampment acting as a go-between with local authorities.
Outside federal court, DeLemus' wife, former State Rep. Susan DeLemus, told reporters her husband may appeal the sentence and it was a "shock" the judge had been so harsh.
"It was really a shock because it was more than what the prosecutor had recommended," DeLemus said, adding she would speak with her husband by video conference later Wednesday.
She thanked friends who had come from New Hampshire to support the couple Wednesday.
"I think it is a travesty of justice. Other people have other opinions," she said.
Former Republican State chairman Jack Kimball had been an organizer of those protesting the DeLemus prosecution and expressed outrage on Facebook Wednesday.
"I am telling all of you that this decision cannot and will not stand. We must turn our outrage into action ASAP! That is all I have right now," Kimball said.
Attempts to reach Kimball by telephone or e-mail were not successful.
Kimball and other supporters said if DeLemus received a federal prison term, President Trump should consider pardoning him.
"I hope so. Time will tell," said State Rep. Al Baldasaro, R-Londonderry, who played a major role in organizing veterans for Trump in many states throughout the 2016 campaign.
Supporters of DeLemus held a rally for him at the New Hampshire State House late last month, before learning that a judge denied his effort to have a hearing to change his guilty plea agreement.
DeLemus was initially indicted on 10 charges, but the plea deal was based on two counts. In the plea agreement, the government said DeLemus called Bundy in Nevada on April 8, 2014. During that telephone conversation, Bundy told DeLemus federal officers had guns and that he (Bundy) needed "bodies," which DeLemus understood to be people with firearms, to support Bundy.
DeLemus agreed to assist and "brought firearms and gunmen to Nevada in support of Bundy," according to court records.
Kimball has called DeLemus a "political prisoner," based on his views and actions.
A Marine Corps veteran, Jerry DeLemus was a Tea Party leader in New Hampshire and also ran unsuccessfully for county sheriff and for mayor in his hometown.
"He is the most wonderful man I have ever met in my entire life," Susan DeLemus said Wednesday, wearing a locket with a picture of her husband around her neck.
The courts in this country need a complete overhaul and quite possibly fumigation.
Another instance of judicial overreach. Calls for removal of this judge should be heard nationally.
Insofar as the whole Bundy episode was the result of Harry Reid trying to confiscate the Bundy’s land, to sell it to Reid’s Chinese buddies, Trump should fully pardon everyone involved.
This is the most bull shiite headline so far today.
Not exactly. It wasn’t Bundy’s land the Feds were taking. It was the access to the forage produced by the water which Bundy owns the rights to. The subsequent grazing of the forage is on “Federal” land. Reid wanted the grazing rights to stop so he(actually his sons) could trade(offset) the area for the solar farm(which was to be miles away).
Insofar as the whole Bundy episode was the result of Harry Reid trying to confiscate the Bundy’s land,
****************
Bundy’s entire 80 acres of land? I believe it went much farther into the
Federal owned land where Bundy’s cattle was grazing without paying fees.
Face it, people: we lost. A long time ago, maybe a hundred years ago when our grandparents welcomed big government like saviors. Even the Trump win was a loss, because the courts, the media, Congress, and the bureaucracy will prevent him at every turn, just as they have these 5 months.
It has to be taken to the next stage. The only thing these people understand is fear. But who bells cat?
Heard by whom? The Progs control the courts and the legislatures. There will be no impeachment of any judge, unless that judge does not tow the Progressive party line.
Who bells the cat? Christopher Monk or Wm. Molineux. Take your pick. Just remember history is unkind to the people who get any ball rolling. People forget most names. Washington, Howe, Clinton very few could remember that many, and almost none below that rank.
Many are waiting for the leader. I await a liberty pole, and an appropriate holder of the ensign. Meanwhile people bicker about what colours our standard should include. No wonder the other side had so much momentum.
It works for libs. We should do the same!
It works for libs. We should do the same!
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