Rancher Cliven Bundy’s son gets prison for 2013 felony convictions

By Ken Ritter, Associated Press

Published Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015 | 8:35 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015 | 10:50 a.m.

An adult son of southern Nevada rancher and states' rights advocate Cliven Bundy was sentenced Wednesday to two to eight years in state prison, two years after a judge gave him one chance at probation on two felony convictions.

Cliven Lance Bundy, 35, apologized for missing court dates, failing to keep in contact with probation officers and failing since February 2013 to complete a one-year court-run drug diversion program.

He asked Clark County District Court Judge Carolyn Ellsworth for another chance.

"I made a big mistake by getting involved with opiates," Bundy said. "I apologize for not coming in and reporting. Like an idiot, I didn't do that because of my drug problem."

The judge noted that Bundy also violated a five-year probation sentence on a 2012 felony conviction for obtaining money under false pretenses in Nevada's Lincoln County.

Bundy's appointed public defender, Jeffrey Rue, said Bundy became hooked on painkillers after surgery for a severe pelvis injury following a 2005 traffic accident. Rue said Bundy broke his addiction to heroin and prescription pain medications during counseling but relapsed last summer after surgery on a chronically painful hip.

Ellsworth reminded Bundy, who goes by the name Lance, that District Court Judge Jerome Tao warned him in January 2013 that he was getting one chance to avoid prison. She noted that Bundy got several additional opportunities after being brought to court on warrants issued for failure to appear before the judge heading the drug court program.

"I'm afraid we're done," Ellsworth said.

With credit for more than 45 weeks already served in jail and good behavior behind bars, Bundy could be eligible for parole next year.

Bundy's father, Cliven Bundy, became a symbol for resisting authority after armed supporters faced off with armed federal agents last April. The confrontation ended a Federal Bureau of Land Management cattle roundup of Bundy cattle on public land near the family home in Bunkerville, about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

Lance Bundy is one of eight sons and seven daughters. He was arrested Jan. 11 on public land at Jean Dry Lake south of Las Vegas on a warrant issued last September in Las Vegas. FBLM rangers reported finding him driving a commercial off-road tour group vehicle.

It did not appear that Bundy family members were in court for the sentencing.

Cliven Bundy and other family members have expressed frustration that their attempts to help Lance Bundy failed.