Staff reports
Friday, March 4, 2016 8:55 am
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ROCHESTER - A swarm of FBI vehicles full of armed agents in full tactical gear with weapons drawn swarmed the condo of anti-government activist Jerry DeLemus on Thursday, arresting him on a federal indictment in connection with the local Tea Party leader and Strafford County sheriff candidate's involvement in an armed standoff against the feds in Nevada in 2014.
Jack Kimball, a former state GOP leader and local Tea Party member, said in a Facebook post that agents showed up Thursday morning and led DeLemus away in handcuffs.
DeLemus, the state co-chairman for Veterans for Donald Trump was indicted for allegedly leading armed resistance against federal agents during a standoff with Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy.
DeLemus' indictments specifically charge DeLemus 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.
DeLemus appeared inside a federal courtroom later Thursday where supporters cheered him as he entered the chambers.
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.
The crowd sang "God Bless America" Thursday as DeLemus was led out of the courtroom, according to the Union Leader of Manchester. Supporters held hands and joined in prayer just outside the door to courtroom 4, before declaring "Tyranny has come to New Hampshire" and "This is not my America."
A detention hearing will be held for DeLemus on Monday at 2:30 p.m. That hearing should also include extradition proceedings and who will represent DeLemus as the case moves to Nevada.
DeLemus also traveled to Oregon this year during a similar standoff at a national wildlife refuge in which one member of the group was fatally shot and many were arrested.