Pete Santilli = Fed judge granted pre-trial release under specific conditions

Nevada indictment keeps Santilli in fed custody

Fed judge granted pre-trial release under specific conditions

KOIN 6 News Staff Published: February 29, 2016, 7:32 am Updated: February 29, 2016, 7:04 pm

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Peter Santilli in a courtroom sketch from his federal court appearance Wednesday, January 27, 2016. (Abigail Marble/Sketch Artist)

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Pete Santilli, one of the defendants in the takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, won’t be getting out of federal custody anytime soon despite a judge granting a pre-trial release under certain conditions.

Pete Santilli at one of the public meetings during the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge takeover, January 2016 (KOIN)

The 50-year-old Santilli was arrested Jan. 26 in Burns for what federal prosecutors say was his part in a conspiracy of threats and intimidation during the five-week occupation of the refuge.
Twice before he’s gone before a federal judge asking for release until trial, and twice denied.
But on Monday, the judge granted his release with the order he go to a halfway house in Portland after he’s fitted with a GPS monitor. Santilli must also undergo a mental health evaluation.
But that release won’t go into effect because Santilli is under another federal indictment in Nevada related to his alleged involvement in the standoff at Cliven Bundy’s ranch in 2014.
The US Marshals in Nevada would have to release Santilli from their hold before any release in the Malheur case would take place.

   Santilli, along with 16 other people charged with conspiracy in connection to the occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, entered a not guilty plea on February 24.
Shortly after his arrest, Santilli appealed a judge’s decision to keep him jailed until trial but his appeal was denied.
The trial for the 16 has initially been set an April 29, though that seems unlikely to occur.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight said a superseding indictment with additional charges is likely.