Second Oregon Standoff Defendant Pleads Guilty

A second defendant in the Oregon Standoff case has pleaded guilty.

Eric Lee Flores was one of 27 people indicted in connection wth the 41-day armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

On Thursday, he told a judge that he had gone to the refuge with seven guns and did guard duty.

He pleaded guilty to conspiring to impede federal officers through intimidation, threats or force.

Flores, who lives on the Tualalip Reservation, is the youngest person charged in connection with the takeover.

He traveled to the refuge with Daryl Thorn who was also charged.

Flores was arrested in February on the reservation. He had left the refuge on January 26, the day that LaVoy Finicum was killed during a traffic stop that resulted in Ammon Bundy and several leaders of the occupation.

As part of his plea deal, Flores agreed to pay restitution to be determined later and forfeit his guns.

When he is sentenced on December 8th, prosecutors will recommend he receive six months of home detention.

Flores is the second defendant to plead guilty.

Last month, Corey Lequieu pleaded guilty and is expected to receive two-and-a-half years in prison when he is sentenced in August.