Idaho gubernatorial candidate Ammon Bundy convicted of contempt, sentenced to 10 days jail

KISU | By Idaho Capital Sun

Published April 8, 2022 at 9:30 AM MDT

BURNS, OR - JANUARY 06: Ammon Bundy, the leader of an anti-government militia, speaks to members of the media in front of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters on January 6, 2016 near Burns, Oregon. An armed anti-government militia group continues to occupy the Malheur National Wildlife Headquarters as they protest the jailing of two ranchers for arson. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Bundy argued that the campaigning he’s done across the state should count toward his court-ordered community service hours

This story was originally published on April 7, 2022, on Idaho Reports.

Ada County Magistrate Judge Annie McDevitt heard arguments Thursday from Independent gubernatorial candidate Ammon Bundy, accused of violating a court order.

Bundy faced a contempt charge stemming from an initial conviction whenhe refused to leave the Lincoln Auditoriumat the Idaho Statehouse during a 2020 special session.

On July 1, 2021, Magistrate Judge David Manweiler sentenced Bundy to 40 hours of community service, in lieu of additional jail time. The Ada County prosecutor claims Bundy did not complete the community service, which is a violation of the sentence.

Bundy tried to argue that the campaigning he’s done across the state should count as community service.

McDevitt disagreed and sentenced Bundy to 10 days in jail.

On multiple occasions in the past, Bundy has been accused of trespassing or resisting arrest, including at the Statehouse and most recently at St. Luke’s in Meridian.

Bundy is most well-known for his role in an armed standoff in 2016 at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and his recent involvement in Idaho politics.