Kenneth Medenbach, Unlawful Occupation, Oregon 2016

Related Federal Cases

Jackson Sentenced in D. Oregon Drug Ring Case · Oregon
Internet Car Scams Land Two in Federal Prison · Washington
Nevis Faces Federal Charges in Oregon · Oregon
Oregon Gangster Duan Faces Federal Charges · Oregon
Election Fraud Task Force Activated in Oregon · Washington

Table of Contents

Oregon Man Convicted for Unlawful Occupation of Federal Land

A 63-year-old Crescent, Oregon man has been convicted of unlawfully occupying federal lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Josephine County.

Kenneth Medenbach, 63, was found guilty on April 18, 2016, by a federal jury in Eugene, Oregon. Medenbach had claimed ‘adverse possession’ of 320 acres of federal public lands in May 2015, delivering a letter to the BLM.

Medenbach erected a small cabin on public lands along a BLM road and refused to remove it despite repeated warnings by the BLM. BLM regulations provide that a person may not camp or occupy the same site for more than 14 days without authorization.

Medenbach argued at trial that the public land he was occupying did not belong to the United States because the federal government did not have constitutional authority to possess public lands in Oregon. He also argued that federal courts did not have authority to interpret the U.S. Constitution.

U.S. District Judge Michael McShane rejected both legal claims. The jury convicted Medenbach on both charges of unlawful occupation and illegal camping. Judge McShane ordered the removal of Medenbach’s illegal cabin after the jury verdict.

Medenbach will be sentenced on August 1, 2016. He faces up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. The case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas W. Fong.

The conviction highlights the importance of respecting federal laws and regulations regarding public lands. The BLM works to manage and protect these lands for the benefit of all Americans. This case serves as a reminder of the consequences of disregarding these laws.