Ammon Bundy bodyguard pleads guilty in Oregon refuge case

PORTLAND, Ore. – A bodyguard for Ammon Bundy has pleaded guilty in Oregon’s ranching standoff case.

In federal court in Portland, Brian Cavalier admitted Wednesday he conspired with others to prevent Interior Department employees from doing their jobs at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in a federal facility.

Cavalier is the sixth defendant to plead in the case. The others got a deal in which prosecutors agreed to dismiss the gun charge.

In exchange for Cavalier’s plea, government prosecutors will recommend a sentence well below the maximum of 11 years in prison.

Cavalier also faces charges for his involvement in a 2014 standoff with federal agents at Cliven Bundy’s Nevada ranch. Cavalier’s plea deal is with Oregon alone, and there are no promises in the Nevada case.