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DeLemus still in jail as judge ponders bail ruling

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Jerry DeLemus in Nevada during standoff (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD, N.H. - A Rochester man indicted in Nevada for his alleged involvement in a standoff with federal agents two years ago remains behind bars today at Strafford County Jail after a U.S. District Court judge said on Monday she needed more time to decide if he should be freed on bail.

Jerry DeLemus, who is state co-chair of presidential hopeful Donald Trump's Veterans for Trump, was wildly cheered by supporters outside the courtroom and inside, where they sang "God Bless America" as he entered.

During the hourlong hearing, prosecutors argued that DeLemus was a threat to the community and a flight risk, the two biggest issues judges look at when determining an appropriate bail amount.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Zuckerman said DeLemus was an active participant in the confrontation that took place between rancher Cliven Bundy and federal agents in Nevada, but DeLemus' defense attorney answered that his client wasn't even in Nevada the day of the standoff.

"He didn't know that it did happen until after he got there," Jonathan Saxe argued, referring to the April 12 incident.

In arguing against bail, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Zuckerman noted DeLemus drove to Nevada with a .50-caliber sniper rifle, and that he stopped along the way to make sure it was properly sighted.

DeLemus' 60-some page indictments specifically charge him with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, threatening a federal law enforcement officer, assault on a federal officer, obstruction of justice, attempting to impede or injure a federal law enforcement officer, interference with interstate commerce by extortion, and several firearms charges, according to court records.
The indictment alleges an armed assault against federal agents around Bunkerville, Nev., on April 12, 2014, over the government's attempted seizure of Bundy's cattle from federal land.

Several Republican members of the New Hampshire House, including state Rep. Warren Groen of Rochester, appeared as character witnesses, attesting DeLemus was neither violent nor a flight risk.

DeLemus' wife, state Rep. Susan DeLemus, R-Rochester, was also there.

DeLemus was arrested on Thursday as several FBI vehicles full of armed agents in full tactical gear with weapons drawn swarmed his Rochester home.

He has been held at Strafford County Jail ever since.

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