Drug court warrant issued for son of rancher Cliven Bundy

By Ken Ritter, Associated Press

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 | 4:13 p.m.

Another arrest warrant has been issued in Las Vegas for the troubled 34-year-old son of a Southern Nevada rancher whose backers faced down federal agents to end a cattle roundup earlier this year.

Records show that Cliven Lance Bundy failed to appear Tuesday before a judge who oversees the Clark County District Court drug diversion program. Judge Linda Marie Bell issued the warrant Wednesday.

Lance Bundy's father, Cliven Bundy, said Thursday that he didn't know about the warrant, and didn't know where his son's whereabouts. He said they last spoke a week ago by telephone about Lance Bundy moving back to the family home in Bunkerville, about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

"The last time I talked with him, it seemed like he was doing OK," the father said. "This is bad news to hear."

A public defender who has represented Lance Bundy in court didn't immediately respond to messages.

Lance Bundy spent about a week in jail last month after his arrest on an earlier criminal contempt warrant stemming from another missed court date. He was freed with a promise to make future court appearances.

He could face two to eight years in state prison if he is found to have violated the terms of a five-year probation sentence imposed after he pleaded guilty in February 2013 to felony burglary and weapon theft charges.

The son acknowledged during a July 14 interview with The Associated Press that he had an addiction to opiate pain killers, and said he was getting counseling.

Court records show he missed several previous hearings, and that officials said they were unable to reach him to notify him of court dates.

The elder Bundy is a states' rights advocate who became a symbol for resisting authority after armed supporters faced off with armed federal agents in April to end a Bureau of Land Management roundup of his cattle. The government says Bundy has illegally used the land for grazing for 20 years. The federal agency maintains that Bundy owes more than $1 million in fees and penalties.

Bundy refuses to acknowledge federal authority on public lands.