An Arizona man charged in the occupation of an Oregon wildlife refuge has been ordered jailed until trial after a judge concluded he was at risk of fleeing from authorities and posed a danger to the public.
U.S. Magistrate Eileen Willett explained her decision Thursday by saying Jon Eric Ritzheimer had weapons in his possession when he took part in the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
Ritzheimer faces a charge of conspiring to impede authorities through the use of force, intimidation or threats.
He was part of a group that's opposed to federal land policy and took over the refuge on Jan. 2.
Last week, 11 participants were arrested, though some holdouts remain at the refuge.
Ritzheimer's attorney, Elizabeth Janney Kruschek, didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.
