DeLemus trial over Bundy standoff set for early May

Henderson, Nev., detention center, where DeLemus, inset, is now being held. (Courtesy images)

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Rochester man indicted in the Cliven Bundy standoff with federal agents two years ago had his first day in a Nevada court on Monday, pleading not guilty to all charges leveled against him in a 60-page indictment.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Carl W. Hoffman entered not guilty pleas on behalf of Jerry DeLemus, a Tea Party activist, but refused to hear any motions on bail, keeping the co-chair of New Hampshire's Veteran for Trump group behind bars at a federal detention facility in Henderson.

According to U.S. district court spokesman Natalie Collins, 19 co-defendants in the Bundy standoff case are now in Nevada, and their trials will be combined into what is known as a "complex" trial.

What is expected to be a mammoth discovery hearing is expected on April 22 before U.S. District Court Judge Gloria Navarro, who will preside at trial.

"There's so much discovery, there's thousands of documents," Collins said on Tuesday.

A jury trial date is already set for May 2.

Collins noted that some of those indicted in the Bundy incident are being held in Oregon in connection with the 41-day takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore.

She said officials would hope to get them released for transport to Las Vegas, so they can be arraigned and stand trial along with DeLemus and the others already being held there.

DeLemus was named in a March 3 indictment as a midlevel leader and organizer in the Cliven Bundy standoff with federal agents, and that he: recruited, organized, trained and provided logistical support to gunmen and other followers and organized and led armed patrols and security checkpoints from April 12 till the end of May 2014.

He is charged 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.

He was arrested on March 3 as a squad of federal agents rushed his Rochester condo guns drawn and took him into custody.

Meanwhile, late Monday, Susan DeLemus, the wife of Gerry and a New Hampshire state rep, said her husband was being treated better at his jail, had been given blankets and was in good spirits for his Monday court appearance.

Earlier she had posted on Facebook that her husband had been refused a blanket and was being treated unkindly by several guards.

She also noted that, according to his lawyer, he chose to stay in solitary because he has a better chance of calling out.

His court-appointed attorney, Brian J. Smith of Las Vegas, did not return a phone call on Tuesday.

Collins said prosecutors would have no comment while the case is active.