No bail for Bundys: Authorities call militants who occupied Oregon wildlife refuge 'flight risks'

A federal judge ruled on Friday that Oregon militant leaders Ammon and Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne, would not be eligible for bail before being tried on federal charges, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.

As KOIN-TV reported, federal prosecutors argued in court documents that all three men, as well as the other militants arrested earlier this week, posed flight risks and should not be released.

The Bundys, prosecutors said, lacked "ties to the District of Oregon" despite their visibility.

"This creates an inherent risk of flight. Moreover, [their] own statements demonstrate his unwillingness to comply with the terms of pretrial supervision."

KOIN posted screenshots of several of the documents on Twitter, as seen below:

Prosecutors also called Payne a "substantial danger to the community," citing several statements from him in the past regarding his role as an "on-the-ground commander" for the Bundys' father, anti-government rancher Cliven Bundy during a standoff at his Nevada ranch in 2014.

"I was Mr. Bundy's militia liaison," Payne said in an interview published at the time. "He would tell me what he had planned, and then I would advise him as to what the militia could accomplish in support of that."

If the Bundys and their cohorts were allowed to post bail, prosecutors said, there was a danger of them either returning to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge -- or to another federal facility.

All three men were charged with conspiracy to impede federal officers, as were 44-year-old Brian Cavalier and 59-year-old Shawna Cox, the other two people arrested with them on Tuesday night.

Update, 6:51 p.m. EST:The Oregonian reported that Cavalier was also denied bail.

Ammon Bundy also reportedly addressed the court, describing himself as a "federalist" out to protect peoples' rights. He also said that he was "done with Harney County."