Montana Militia Chief Says He Has New Attitude Terms Of The Surrender Had Been Negotiated Over Several Weeks
Militiaman Calvin Greenup and his two sons have surrendered to authorities, and Greenup said he has a new attitude.
“I intend to do what’s right because I do not intend to jeopardize the people who love me,” Greenup told District Judge Jeffrey Langton last Thursday.
Greenup was clean shaven and wore a suit and tie - a change from the bearded, armed man who had dared authorities to enter his property and arrest him.
He and his sons were released on a property bond after pleading innocent to all charges against them.
Terms of the surrender had been negotiated over several weeks between Greenup’s lawyer, John Smith of Missoula, and Ravalli County Attorney George Corn.
Greenup is charged with criminal syndicalism, or advocating violence or criminal acts for political purposes. The charge stems from threatening letters sent to state and county officials. Greenup also is charged with obstructing justice for harboring his son, Scott Greenup.
Scott Greenup faces two counts of assault, obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest, stemming from a Feb. 16 incident in Hamilton.
Shad Greenup is charged with felony intimidation, accused of threatening Darby Town Marshal Larry Rose after Rose tried to stop a woman for driving with expired license plates.
Judge Langton set bond at $100,000 for Calvin Greenup, $40,000 for Scott Greenup and $10,000 for Shad Greenup.
Calvin Greenup’s parents, Ken and Sylvia, put up their house and 120 acres - appraised at $440,000 - as a property bond.
Greenup told Langton that he now accepts the authority of the court and would agree to a curfew of 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
As a condition of release, all firearms on Calvin Greenup’s property were to be turned in to Ravalli County Sheriff Jay Printz, who also searched the property.
Greenup, the Montana leader of the North American Volunteer Militia, has defied several court orders in the past.
He hid out on his ranch rather than appear on felony charges, he hasn’t paid state income taxes, and he has refused to obtain a driver license or license his vehicle.
His property was sold at a sheriff’s auction on May 15 after he fell behind on his mortgage. The state seized 10 elk from his unlicensed game farm in April.