In April, a jury found Gregory Burleson guilty for his part in the 2014 armed standoff at Cliven Bundy’s ranch.
By Tay Wiles/High Country News
On Wednesday, one of 17 defendants being tried for their part in the 2014 standoff between supporters of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and the Bureau of Land Management was sentenced to 68 years in prison. Gregory Burleson, 53, of Phoenix, was convicted in April of eight counts including assault on federal officers, obstruction of justice and extortion.
During the 32-day trial earlier this year, prosecutors showed images of Burleson in a sandy wash near Bunkerville, Nevada, holding a long gun and participating in the face-off over Bundy’s cattle. The herd had been illegally grazing public land for years. When the BLM announced its plans to impound the livestock, Bundy and several members of his family put out a call on social media for people to support him in thwarting the government’s operation. Burleson was among the hundreds who traveled to Bundy Ranch to help.

Burleson’s attorney, Terrence Jackson, said his client was manipulated by Cliven Bundy and “became mesmerized by his fame.” The Bundy supporter had participated in self-styled militia groups and told an undercover FBI agent after the standoff that he wanted to kill federal employees.
Tay Wiles is an associate editor for High Country News and can be reached at taywiles@hcn.org. Follow Tay on Twitter @taywiles

