Montana man in Oregon refuge, Nevada standoff cases freed

LAS VEGAS (AP) – A Montana man who took part in an Oregon wildlife refuge occupation and is standing trial in an armed Nevada ranch standoff has been released from jail to house arrest in Las Vegas.

Ryan Payne kissed his fiance, Ariel Rincon, hugged friends, and prayed with supporters after he walked out of the U.S. District Courthouse in Las Vegas on Friday after 22 months in federal custody.

He declined to speak with reporters.

Payne led a self-described militia in Anaconda, Montana, and is standing trial with Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and two sons on federal charges in the April 2014 armed confrontation with federal agents in southern Nevada.

Payne pleaded guilty in July 2016 in Portland, Oregon, to a felony conspiracy charge before a trial at which Ammon Bundy and his elder brother, Ryan Bundy, were acquitted of all charges.