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Jon Ritzheimer

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Jon Ritzheimer
Ritzheimer pictured in 2015
Born (1983-10-31) October 31, 1983 (age 40)[1]
NationalityAmerican
CitizenshipUnited States
Organization(s)3 Percenters, Oath Keepers
Known forOccupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Children2

Jon Eric Ritzheimer[2][3] (born October 31, 1983)[4] is an American political activist. He is affiliated with the 3 Percenters and formerly associated with the Oath Keepers group,[5] and has used social media to declare his opposition to Islam and the Bureau of Land Management.[citation needed]

Early life

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A former United States Marine and veteran of the Iraq War, Ritzheimer grew up in Lakeside, California.[6][7] While serving in Iraq he received a certificate of commendation for engaging three suspected insurgents in 2005.[8] According to Ritzheimer, he was discharged from the Marine Corps for violating its tattoo policy.[9][a]

Activities

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Ritzheimer first attracted national attention in May 2015 when he began pacing in front of a mosque near his residence in Phoenix, Arizona, wearing a T-shirt that had "Fuck Islam" imprinted on it.[6] Later that month, he organized what media characterized as an "anti-Muslim protest" outside the mosque that drew 250 people.[6][11] During an interview on CNN about the protest, Ritzheimer compared himself to the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence.[12] He later started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $10 million which would be used, he said, to either finance his life in hiding (he had earlier alleged "they're calling for lone wolves to come and behead me") or to challenge John McCain for United States Senate.[13]

In June 2015, Ritzheimer posted a video to his Facebook page. In the video, in which he appeared shirtless, Ritzheimer claimed "hackers have ruined my life", alleging that he was a victim of identity theft by persons who had publicly exposed his social security number and credit card information. He went on to explain that he was also suffering from malnutrition and that his earlier wearing of the "Fuck Islam" T-shirt was "distasteful" and "stupid".[14]

By September, the group Oath Keepers reported they were in the process of expelling Ritzheimer from their organization after he suddenly announced detailed plans to "arrest" United States Senator Debbie Stabenow for treason.[5] In response, Ritzheimer said he was withdrawing his membership from the group. The U.S. Capitol Police, which is responsible for the protection of members of Congress, meanwhile announced they had started coordinating with police in Michigan, Stabenow's home state, to monitor attempts by Ritzheimer or confederates to carry out the threat of "arrest".[15]

The following month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warning to local law enforcement about Ritzheimer after he posted a YouTube video of himself brandishing a firearm and declaring his intent to confront staff at The Islamic Post, a small newspaper in Hancock, New York, in response to the paper's labeling him as "an American Taliban".[16] According to Ritzheimer, he was contacted by the New York State Police, who admonished him not to attempt to cross the New York border.[17]

In January 2016, Ritzheimer participated in the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.[18][19] During the occupation, Ritzheimer complained about people sending him sex toys in the mail, observing that the senders "just hate, and hate, and hate, and hate." In what The Oregonian described as a "tantrum", a YouTube video shot by Ritzheimer showed him pushing boxes of sex toys off a table inside one of the occupied buildings.[20] A Southern Poverty Law Center spokesperson described Ritzheimer's ascendance as very disturbing, saying "I think he's potentially very dangerous. He often comes across as literally unhinged. He's rabid about everything. If I was a member of federal law enforcement up there in Oregon, I would be very concerned."[21]

Ritzheimer operated an ecommerce website called Rogue Infidel, which sold T-shirts and bumper stickers emblazoned with "Fuck Islam" and other slogans.[22] He has said that he supported Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[17]

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Ritzheimer voluntarily surrendered on January 26, 2016, to local authorities in his hometown of Peoria, Arizona. He has been charged with a federal felony of conspiracy to impede officers of the U.S. from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or threats—an offense attracting a sentence of up to ten years' imprisonment.[23][24] On March 9, 2016, Ritzheimer was also charged with a variety of counts, including possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities, use and carry of firearms in relation to a crime of violence—an offense that incurs a sentence of five years minimum to life, consecutive—and theft of government property.[25][26]

On June 10, 2016, U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown dismissed one of two firearms charges against Ritzheimer and seven other militants. She cited that the underlying conspiracy charge does not meet the legal definition of a "crime of violence" as defined by Ninth Circuit case law.[27][28]

On August 15, 2016, Ritzheimer pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge as part of a plea bargain deal.[29] On November 30, 2017, Ritzheimer was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison and must spend another 12 months in a residential re-entry program.[30]

Personal life

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Ritzheimer is married and has two children.[7] During the occupation he reportedly lived off of veterans disability checks and his wife's working income.[31][32]

Notes

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  1. ^ The Corps' tattoo policy prohibits tattoos on arms below the elbow, on legs below the knee, on the head or neck, as well as any tattoo on any part of the body that is "sexist, racist, vulgar, anti-american, anti-social, gang related, or extremist group or organization related."[10]

References

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  1. ^ "United States of America v. Ammon 6UNDY, Jon RITZHEIMER, Joseph O'SHAUGHNESSY, Ryan PAYNE, Ryan BUNDY, Brian CAVALIER, Shawna COX, Peter SANTILLI" (PDF). United States District Court for the District of Oregon. January 26, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  2. ^ Bird, Anna (January 3, 2016). "The Anti-Muslim Zealot in Bundy's Oregon Militia". Daily Beast. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  3. ^ Merda, Chad (September 24, 2015). "Militia will arrest senators for treason, vows anti-Islam rally organizer". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on February 11, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  4. ^ "United States District Court for the District of Oregon". Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Merda, Chad (September 24, 2015). "Militia will arrest senators for treason, vows anti-Islam rally organizer". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c Bird, Anna (January 3, 2016). "The Anti-Muslim Zealot in Bundy's Oregon Militia". Daily Beast. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  7. ^ a b De La Rosa, Christian (June 5, 2015). "Retired Marine tries to clear name after controversial rally outside mosque". KSWB-TV. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  8. ^ Gibbons-Neff, Thomas (January 4, 2016). "Meet the motley crew of veteran militiamen in Harney County". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 4, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  9. ^ Gettys, Travis (September 23, 2015). "Anti-Muslim militiaman seeks gas money to 'arrest' Michigan Democrat for 'treason' over Iran deal". Raw Story. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  10. ^ "Tattoo (Body Art) Policy". military.com. December 18, 2014. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  11. ^ Sidner, Sara; Payne, Ed (May 30, 2015). "Mohammed cartoon contest: Protest held outside Phoenix mosque". CNN. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  12. ^ MacNeal, Caitlin (May 29, 2015). "Anderson Cooper Grills Ariz. Man Over 'Draw Muhammad' Contest". Talking Points Memo. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  13. ^ Garcia, Ahiza (June 1, 2015). "Arizona Anti-Muslim Activist Tries To Raise $10M As He Goes Into Hiding". Talking Points Memo. Archived from the original on January 2, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  14. ^ Garcia, Ahiza (June 3, 2015). "Anti-Muslim Activist Who Tried To Raise $10M: 'Hackers Have Ruined My Life!'". Talking Points Memo. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  15. ^ Jerde, Sarah (September 24, 2015). "Watch: Anti-Muslim Activist Rages Against Oath Keepers For Refusing To Arrest Dem Sen". Talking Points Memo. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  16. ^ Rayman, Graham (November 27, 2015). "Exclusive: FBI warns NY police about anti-Islam Arizona man who may be headed to state to confront Muslim group". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on January 2, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  17. ^ a b Brosseau, Carli (January 5, 2016). "'Rogue infidel' Jon Ritzheimer among Oregon wildlife refuge occupiers". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  18. ^ Padilla, Vivian (January 3, 2016). "Jon Ritzheimer, organizer of various anti-Islam rallies, appears in Oregon protest videos". KNXV-TV. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  19. ^ Zaitz, Les (January 2, 2016). "Militia takes over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on January 3, 2016.
  20. ^ Rose, Joseph (January 12, 2016). "Watch: Oregon militant throws tantrum about hate mail". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  21. ^ Holley, Peter (January 5, 2016). "The 'unhinged' Oregon protester that the FBI has been tracking for months". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  22. ^ "Three of the Most Islamophobic Responses to the Chattanooga Shooting". Georgetown University. July 21, 2015. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  23. ^ Mitchell, Garrett (January 27, 2016). "Jon Ritzheimer set to appear in federal court in Phoenix". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  24. ^ Bernstein, Maxine (March 9, 2016). "New six-count indictment unsealed in Malheur refuge occupation case". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  25. ^ "New charges added for Bundys, other militia". KOIN News. March 9, 2016. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  26. ^ "Ammon Bundy, Others Face Weapons Charge With Possibility Of Life Sentence". Talking Points Memo. Associated Press. March 10, 2016. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  27. ^ Bernstein, Maxine (June 10, 2016). "Judge Dismisses One of the Gun Charges Against 7 Defendants". Oregon Live. Archived from the original on June 12, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  28. ^ "Order Granting Motion (#465) to Dismiss and Dismissing Count Three of the Superseding Indictment" (PDF). United States District Court for the District of Oregon. Oregon Live. June 10, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 15, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  29. ^ Woolington, Rebecca (August 16, 2016) [1st pub. August 15, 2016]. "Oregon standoff defendant Jon Ritzheimer pleads guilty in federal conspiracy case". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com. Advance Publications. ISSN 8750-1317. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  30. ^ Oregon refuge occupier Jon Ritzheimer: 'I am extremely sorry for this entire mess Archived December 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, The Oregonian, Maxine Bernstein, November 30, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  31. ^ Boggioni, Tom (January 8, 2016). "Broke, unemployed and on disability: Here's how the Oregon militants can afford to play 'patriot' games". Raw Story. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  32. ^ "Marine to host 'Drawing Muhammad' rally outside Arizona Mosque tomorrow". May 28, 2015. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
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