Could Ammon Bundy be hiding out in southern Utah?
Mar 29, 2024, 11:39 AM | Updated: 12:00 pm
FILE: Ammon Bundy, the rancher who captured national attention when he led an armed occupation of federal land in Oregon, during his announcement for a run for governor of Idaho in 2022. (CNN)
(CNN)
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah — Ammon Bundy, a former Idaho governor candidate and leader of two armed standoffs with federal authorities could be in Utah. Bundy appears to be evading a $50 million fine in Idaho by staying in southern Utah.
A jury ordered Bundy to pay damages for his defamation of St. Luke’s Hospital in 2022.
He rallied protestors to target the facility after staff temporarily took the child of Bundy’s friend into protective service because he showed signs of malnutrition, including ribs showing through the skin.
The harassment grew so intense the entire hospital shut down and ambulances were redirected to other locations.
Bundy did not appear in court and was arrested for contempt counts in 2023. According to The Atlantic, he disappeared from Idaho without paying the multi-million dollar fine.
Who is Ammon Bundy?
Bundy gained national prominence in 2014, when he, his father and brother led a protest against the Bureau of Land Management’s repossession of grazing land.
A judge sided with BLM and ordered Cliven Bundy, Ammon’s father, to pay the agency more than $1 million for letting his cows graze on federal land.
Federal agents took around 400 of Bundy’s cattle. However, they backed down after hundreds of armed protestors joined the Bundys in sitting on the land.
Additionally, the younger Bundy kicked a dog used by the BLM and was tased three times in response. He took a more leading role during an armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters in 2016.
Where is Bundy now?
Dutch news service Bellingcat investigated several videos Bundy posted to his YouTube channel, where they discovered clues about where he was staying.
The publication determined Bundy appears to film most videos from a location in southwestern Utah. In one video called “Want to know where Ammon Bundy is?” Bellingcat pointed out a fridge magnet in the background that shows a calendar for the Iron County School District from January through May.
Another of Bundy’s videos showed him on the freeway with his daughter, “driving north.” Bellingcat identified a sign he passed as one located on a stretch of I-15 in Beaver County.
Bundy did not deny he was in Utah, and he told Bellingcat the following statement; “I have no concerns, I have not been hiding but working and providing for my family. At any time peace officers could find me if they wish. I pray that Utah has a stronger sense to protect free speech than Idaho does.”
The full report from Bellingcat and its conclusions can be found here.
Read more:
- Ammon Bundy ordered to pay $26 million to Idaho hospital, its CEO and 2 staff members
- Feds wants Utah lawmaker to pay $90,000 for illegal ATV ride
- Ammon Bundy announces run for Idaho governor in 2022
- Study finds US public land workers facing assaults, threats
