BOISE -- Members of the militia group 3 Percent Idaho gathered on the Statehouse steps Friday to protest the arrest of four men in connection to a standoff in Nevada.
Brandon Curtiss, the group's president, said he believed the government is overstepping by leveling federal charges against the men, and called on Idaho lawmakers to step in.
"Our state needs to step up and help the situation," he said. "We feel that they're being held illegally, unconstitutionally, and certainly they're being subject to cruel and unusual punishment. I mean, 16 indictments - that's ridiculous."
Idaho residents O. Scott Drexler of Challis, Eric Parker of Hailey, Steven Stewart of Hailey and Todd Engel of Boundary County were among 14 people indicted earlier this month for their roles in a 2014 clash with the Bureau of Land Management over grazing fees.
They face charges of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, using and carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, assault on a federal officer, threatening a federal law enforcement officer, obstruction of the due administration of justice, interference with interstate commerce by extortion and interstate travel in aid of extortion.
The men are accused of traveling to Cliven Bundy's ranch in Nevada and squaring off with the feds who sought to seize Bundy's cattle over unpaid grazing fees on federal land. According to the indictment, the suspects blocked BLM convoys, threatened violence and aimed guns at federal agents.
The Idahoans face up to life in prison if convicted.
But Curtiss said the defendants were wielding guns in response to threats, and prosecutors were now taking what happened during a tense April 12, 2014 standoff "out of context."
"What they were actually doing was taking a defensive position," Curtis said of Bundy's armed group.
About 100 people attended the rally, with some 3 Percent members traveling to Idaho from Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Deloy Mecham said he came up from Utah to join in the protest because he thought the men facing charges were unfairly targeted.
"Being arrested for being a peaceful protestor is ridiculous," he said. "We're kind of losing our country."
Mecham said he felt the government of the United States was not listening to the people, and the Nevada standoff was merely an attempt to spur changes.
Dissatisfaction about the indictment of Engel, Parker Drexler and Stewart was evident among the people gathered in front of the Capitol. Several waved flags and held signs with slogans including "Free the Patriots" and "I am Eric Parker."
U.S. Attorney Wendy Olson says the indicted Idahoans will have the chance to argue their side in court.
"This case is about the rule of law, so these defendants will be afforded all of the procedural due process rights that all defendants who are charged with federal crimes are provided," she said.
The men are currently held in the Ada County Jail. They will eventually be extradited back to Nevada to face charges.