Oregon Standoff Trial: When Arrested Ammon Bundy Was Loaded

When Ammon Bundy, the leader of he 41-day armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, he had $8,031 on him at the time. $8,000 in a white envelope and $31 in cash.

Bundy is one of seven people on trial in federal court in Portland on charges stemming from the takeover. A second trial - with eight defendants - is scheduled to begin in February.

In addition to the cash, Bundy had a receipts for purchases including ammunition, rifle scopes, and boots.

Bundy's lawyer. Marcus Mumford, asked FBI Special Agent Ben Jones if there was anything illegal about what Bundy had bought.

"In and of itself, nothing illegal," Jones replied.

Also testifying on Tuesday was Harney County Sheriff's Deputy Lucas McClain who told the jurors how - while he transported Bundy and other co-defendants - Bundy, who was handcuffed, managed to get a cell phone and make a call.

Mumford implied Bundy was speaking with his wife while McClain said he'd been concerned Bundy could have been talking with occupiers who were planning to intercept the transport.

The prosecution entered into evidence the iPhone that Bundy was carrying at the time of his arrest.

On the phone were between 20 and 30 videos as well as a note breaking down responsibilities at the refuge.

Bundy's brother Ryan - one of his co-defendants was tasked with "claim," while Ryan Payne - who had pleaded guilty - was on "defense." Kenneth Medenbach - another co-defendant - was working on signage while another defendant, Shawna Cox, was working on "Maps & Title."

One video played for jurors was recorded on January 13th at the refuge.

"This is the time to stand up because we don't have a other chance," Cox is heard saying.

"We got some good force outside and in," Ammon says on the video when asked if they have reinforcements.

Another tape played for the jurors was of the arrest of Medenbach outside the Safeway in Burns where he had driven a truck belonging to the refuge.

"Getting groceries here," Medenbach is heard telling an Oregon State Trooper who had asked him what was going on.

When the trooper informs Medenbach that the truck had been reported stolen, he replies "This is a Harney County Resource Center vehicle," referring to the new name he, the Bundys and others had renamed he refuge.

The jurors also heard from four refuge employees who described the conditions at the refuge when they were allowed to return. They also narrated video of the occupation played by the prosecution.

"That's my desk and a picture of my daughter," said Ryan Curtis, a supervisory forestry technician.

Jess Wenick, am ecologist at the refuge, described how the occupiers used his work truck to drive out to where they cut down 100 feet of wire fence.

Prosecution played video of the fence cutting.

"Taking down the fence. Liberating this area," Blaine Cooper, who has already pleaded guilty, can be heard saying.

Wenick also testified that historical documents had been moved and some were - mostly related to the case of ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond, whose conviction for setting fires on federal land spurred the protest - were missing.

On cross-examination, Bundy's lawyer frequently got himself in trouble with the judge over is line of questioning, which veered off what was allowable.

"Please confine yourself to cross on direct," Judge Anna Brown admonished him.

Jurors also heard from FBI Special Agent - and pilot - Jeffrey Cleveland - who testified about flying surveillance for hours over the refuge.

"So, do you spy on the American people a lot?" Ryan Bundy asked.

The prosecution objected. The judge sustained the objection.

Things have been moving fairly quickly at the trial, which been expected to last nine weeks.

The prosecution could wrap up by next Monday or Tuesday.

Photo Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.