Woman, Child Leave ‘Freemen’ Ranch

A woman and her child voluntarily left the “freemen” ranch in eastern Montana, and federal authorities on Saturday said it was “a very hopeful time” for ending the 12-day standoff with the remaining holdout fugitives and their families.

“We are very optimistic . . . I’d have to say, yes, I think we’re making some progress,” said U.S. Atty. Sherry Matteucci at a press briefing.

Ten or more of the freemen, along with their wives and children, have been holed up on a 960-acre foreclosed ranch, in one of the most remote corners of America, since March 25. An unknown number of FBI agents has surrounded the ranch after arresting two leaders on charges of financial fraud and threatening public officials. A federal indictment charges 12 freemen with issuing bogus checks that cost businesses and public agencies $1.8 million.

On Friday night, a woman who has been unofficially identified as Val Stanton, 20, wife of fugitive freeman Ebert Stanton, 23, drove away from the remote ranch with her 4-year-old daughter. She was escorted by others identified only as family members. She was not wanted on any charges and passed through an FBI perimeter without interference.

Her departure, continuing negotiations and appeals to the freemen by family members were regarded by authorities as encouraging signs that the stalemate can end, as Matteucci said, “without any serious confrontation, safely, peacefully.”

One law enforcement source said authorities were appealing to the freemen’s religious sensibilities this Easter weekend. Although ringleaders of the group profess no loyalty to country or state, except to their own “Justus township,” they have frequently talked of their “Christian identity.”

The freemen are described by those who know them as down-and-out ranchers who did not pay their bills and ultimately embraced the violent rhetoric and ideas of America’s militia movement. For months, they have roamed Jordan and other eastern Montana communities almost with impunity, refusing to obtain license plates for their cars, driving in armed convoys and threatening everyone from the county sheriff to judges.

They have outnumbered, and by all accounts could have easily outgunned, the tiny law enforcement presence in rural Montana, finally prompting intervention by federal authorities.

Very conscious of previous violent confrontations with extremists near Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho, the FBI and the U.S. attorney have adopted an almost easygoing and discreet vigil of the ranch. And until Saturday’s short news briefing, federal authorities have said almost nothing on the record about events.

Matteucci would not say how many people remained on the ranch, but said those who do not face charges would be free to leave and would “be free to go on with their lives.”

Also on Saturday, Montana Atty. Gen. Joe Mazurek identified the men negotiating with the freemen as four state representatives: Democrats Joe Quilici and John Johnson, and Republicans Karl Ohs and Dick Knox. Mazurek said the four asked him to release a statement that the negotiations have been productive.