Jon Ritzheimer

A former United States Marine and veteran of the Iraq War, Ritzheimer grew up in Lakeside, California.{{cite news| url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/04/the-anti-muslim-zealot-in-bundy-s-oregon-militia.html| title = The Anti-Muslim Zealot in Bundy's Oregon Militia| last = Bird| first = Anna| date = January 3, 2016| work = Daily Beast| accessdate = January 4, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160107010424/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/04/the-anti-muslim-zealot-in-bundy-s-oregon-militia.html| archive-date = January 7, 2016| url-status = live}} While serving in Iraq he received a certificate of commendation for engaging three suspected insurgents in 2005.{{cite news|last1=Gibbons-Neff|first1=Thomas|title=Meet the motley crew of veteran militiamen in Harney County|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/01/04/meet-the-motley-crew-of-veteran-militiamen-in-harney-country-oregon/|accessdate=January 4, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104211808/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/01/04/meet-the-motley-crew-of-veteran-militiamen-in-harney-country-oregon/|archive-date=January 4, 2016|url-status=live}} According to Ritzheimer, he was discharged from the Marine Corps for violating its tattoo policy.{{cite news|last1=Gettys|first1=Travis|title=Anti-Muslim militiaman seeks gas money to 'arrest' Michigan Democrat for 'treason' over Iran deal|url=http://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/anti-muslim-militiaman-seeks-gas-money-to-arrest-michigan-democrat-for-treason-over-iran-deal/|accessdate=January 4, 2016|work=Raw Story|date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125183337/http://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/anti-muslim-militiaman-seeks-gas-money-to-arrest-michigan-democrat-for-treason-over-iran-deal/|archive-date=January 25, 2016|url-status=live}}{{efn|The Corps' tattoo policy prohibits tattoos on arms below the elbow, on legs below the knee, on the head or neck, as well as any tattoo on any part of the body that is "sexist, racist, vulgar, anti-american, anti-social, gang related, or extremist group or organization related."{{cite news|title=Tattoo (Body Art) Policy|url=http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marines/a/tattoo.htm|publisher=military.com|date=December 18, 2014|accessdate=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127220517/http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marines/a/tattoo.htm|archive-date=January 27, 2016|url-status=live}}}}

Ritzheimer first attracted national attention in May 2015 when he began pacing in front of a mosque near his residence in Phoenix, Arizona, wearing a T-shirt that had "Fuck Islam" imprinted on it. Later that month, he organized what media characterized as an "anti-Muslim protest" outside the mosque that drew 250 people.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/29/us/mohammed-cartoon-contest/|title=Mohammed cartoon contest: Protest held outside Phoenix mosque|date=May 30, 2015|publisher=CNN|first1=Sara|last1=Sidner|first2=Ed|last2=Payne|access-date=January 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530155932/http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/29/us/mohammed-cartoon-contest/|archive-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live}} During an interview on CNN about the protest, Ritzheimer compared himself to the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence.{{cite news |first=Caitlin |last=MacNeal |title=Anderson Cooper Grills Ariz. Man Over 'Draw Muhammad' Contest |work=Talking Points Memo |url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/anderson-cooper-draw-muhammad-arizona |date=May 29, 2015 |accessdate=January 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205085603/http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/anderson-cooper-draw-muhammad-arizona |archive-date=February 5, 2016 |url-status=live }} He later started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $10 million which would be used, he said, to either finance his life in hiding (he had earlier alleged "they're calling for lone wolves to come and behead me") or to challenge John McCain for United States Senate.{{cite news |last=Garcia |first=Ahiza |title=Arizona Anti-Muslim Activist Tries To Raise $10M As He Goes Into Hiding |work=Talking Points Memo |url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/jon-ritzheimer-gofundme-10-million |date=June 1, 2015 |accessdate=January 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102071619/http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/jon-ritzheimer-gofundme-10-million |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |url-status=live }}

In June 2015, Ritzheimer posted a video to his Facebook page. In the video, in which he appeared shirtless, Ritzheimer claimed "hackers have ruined my life", alleging that he was a victim of identity theft by persons who had publicly exposed his social security number and credit card information. He went on to explain that he was also suffering from malnutrition and that his earlier wearing of the "Fuck Islam" T-shirt was "distasteful" and "stupid".{{cite news |last=Garcia |first=Ahiza |title=Anti-Muslim Activist Who Tried To Raise $10M: 'Hackers Have Ruined My Life!' |work=Talking Points Memo |url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/jon-ritzheimer-hacked-anti-muslim |date=June 3, 2015 |access-date=January 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205025625/http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/jon-ritzheimer-hacked-anti-muslim |archive-date=February 5, 2016 |url-status=live }}

By September, the group Oath Keepers reported they were in the process of expelling Ritzheimer from their organization after he suddenly announced detailed plans to "arrest" United States Senator Debbie Stabenow for treason. In response, Ritzheimer said he was withdrawing his membership from the group. The U.S. Capitol Police, which is responsible for the protection of members of Congress, meanwhile announced they had started coordinating with police in Michigan, Stabenow's home state, to monitor attempts by Ritzheimer or confederates to carry out the threat of "arrest".{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Jerde |title=Watch: Anti-Muslim Activist Rages Against Oath Keepers For Refusing To Arrest Dem Sen. |work=Talking Points Memo |url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/jon-ritzheimer-withdraws-oath-keepers |date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=January 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925214432/http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/jon-ritzheimer-withdraws-oath-keepers |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |url-status=live }}

The following month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warning to local law enforcement about Ritzheimer after he posted a YouTube video of himself brandishing a firearm and declaring his intent to confront staff at The Islamic Post, a small newspaper in Hancock, New York, in response to the paper's labeling him as "an American Taliban".{{cite news |first=Graham |last=Rayman |title=Exclusive: FBI warns NY police about anti-Islam Arizona man who may be headed to state to confront Muslim group |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/fbi-warns-ny-police-anti-islam-arizona-man-article-1.2448001 |work=Daily News |location=New York |date=November 27, 2015 |access-date=January 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102054442/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/fbi-warns-ny-police-anti-islam-arizona-man-article-1.2448001 |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |url-status=live }} According to Ritzheimer, he was contacted by the New York State Police, who admonished him not to attempt to cross the New York border.{{cite news|last1=Brosseau|first1=Carli|title='Rogue infidel' Jon Ritzheimer among Oregon wildlife refuge occupiers|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/01/rogue_infidel_jon_ritzheimer_a.html|access-date=January 5, 2016|work=The Oregonian|date=January 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107181613/http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/01/rogue_infidel_jon_ritzheimer_a.html|archive-date=January 7, 2016|url-status=live}}

In January 2016, Ritzheimer participated in the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.{{cite news |first=Vivian |last=Padilla |title=Jon Ritzheimer, organizer of various anti-Islam rallies, appears in Oregon protest videos |publisher=KNXV-TV |url=http://www.abc15.com/news/national/jon-ritzheimer-organizer-of-various-anti-islam-rallies-appears-in-oregon-protest-videos |date=January 3, 2016 |access-date=January 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105231658/http://www.abc15.com/news/national/jon-ritzheimer-organizer-of-various-anti-islam-rallies-appears-in-oregon-protest-videos |archive-date=January 5, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|first=Les |last=Zaitz |title=Militia takes over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters |work=The Oregonian |date=January 2, 2016 |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/01/drama_in_burns_ends_with_quiet.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103213624/http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/01/drama_in_burns_ends_with_quiet.html |archive-date=January 3, 2016 |url-status=live }} During the occupation, Ritzheimer complained about people sending him sex toys in the mail, observing that the senders "just hate, and hate, and hate, and hate." In what The Oregonian described as a "tantrum", a YouTube video shot by Ritzheimer showed him pushing boxes of sex toys off a table inside one of the occupied buildings.{{cite news|last1=Rose|first1=Joseph|title=Watch: Oregon militant throws tantrum about hate mail|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/geek/2016/01/watch_oregon_militant_throws_t.html|access-date=January 12, 2016|work=The Oregonian|date=January 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116091610/http://www.oregonlive.com/geek/2016/01/watch_oregon_militant_throws_t.html|archive-date=January 16, 2016|url-status=live}} A Southern Poverty Law Center spokesperson described Ritzheimer's ascendance as very disturbing, saying "I think he's potentially very dangerous. He often comes across as literally unhinged. He's rabid about everything. If I was a member of federal law enforcement up there in Oregon, I would be very concerned."{{cite news|title=The 'unhinged' Oregon protester that the FBI has been tracking for months|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/01/05/why-a-notorious-anti-islam-radical-turned-on-the-federal-government-in-oregon/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 5, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2016|first=Peter|last=Holley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106052424/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/01/05/why-a-notorious-anti-islam-radical-turned-on-the-federal-government-in-oregon/|archive-date=January 6, 2016|url-status=live}}

Ritzheimer operated an ecommerce website called Rogue Infidel, which sold T-shirts and bumper stickers emblazoned with "Fuck Islam" and other slogans.{{cite web |title=Three of the Most Islamophobic Responses to the Chattanooga Shooting |work=The Bridge Initiative | A Research Project on Islamophobia |publisher=Georgetown University |url=http://bridge.georgetown.edu/three-of-the-most-islamophobic-responses-to-the-chattanooga-shooting/ |date=July 21, 2015 |access-date=January 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722043438/http://bridge.georgetown.edu/three-of-the-most-islamophobic-responses-to-the-chattanooga-shooting/ |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |url-status=live }} He has said that he supported Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Ritzheimer voluntarily surrendered on January 26, 2016, to local authorities in his hometown of Peoria, Arizona. He has been charged with a federal felony of conspiracy to impede officers of the U.S. from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or threats—an offense attracting a sentence of up to ten years' imprisonment.{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/peoria/breaking/2016/01/27/jon-ritzheimer-set-appear-federal-court-phoenix/79406252/|title=Jon Ritzheimer set to appear in federal court in Phoenix|work=The Arizona Republic|first=Garrett|last=Mitchell|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/03/new_six-count_indictment_unsea.html|title=New six-count indictment unsealed in Malheur refuge occupation case|last=Bernstein|first=Maxine|work=The Oregonian|date=March 9, 2016|access-date=March 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311225855/http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/03/new_six-count_indictment_unsea.html|archive-date=March 11, 2016|url-status=live}} On March 9, 2016, Ritzheimer was also charged with a variety of counts, including possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities, use and carry of firearms in relation to a crime of violence—an offense that incurs a sentence of five years minimum to life, consecutive—and theft of government property.{{cite news|url=http://koin.com/2016/03/09/militia-court-hearing-could-draw-protesters/|title=New charges added for Bundys, other militia|publisher=KOIN News|date=March 9, 2016|access-date=March 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312084836/http://koin.com/2016/03/09/militia-court-hearing-could-draw-protesters/|archive-date=March 12, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/ammon-bundy-others-indictments-firearms-possession|title=Ammon Bundy, Others Face Weapons Charge With Possibility Of Life Sentence|publisher=Talking Points Memo|agency=Associated Press|date=March 10, 2016|access-date=March 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311123343/http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/ammon-bundy-others-indictments-firearms-possession|archive-date=March 11, 2016|url-status=live}}

On June 10, 2016, U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown dismissed one of two firearms charges against Ritzheimer and seven other militants. She cited that the underlying conspiracy charge does not meet the legal definition of a "crime of violence" as defined by Ninth Circuit case law.{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/06/judge_dismisses_one_of_the_gun.html|title=Judge Dismisses One of the Gun Charges Against 7 Defendants|work=Oregon Live|date=June 10, 2016|access-date=June 10, 2016|first=Maxine|last=Bernstein|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612132215/http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/06/judge_dismisses_one_of_the_gun.html|archive-date=June 12, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://media.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/other/2016/06/10/ordermotiondismiss.pdf|title=Order Granting Motion (#465) to Dismiss and Dismissing Count Three of the Superseding Indictment|publisher=United States District Court for the District of Oregon|agency=Oregon Live|date=June 10, 2016|access-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615131745/http://media.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/other/2016/06/10/ordermotiondismiss.pdf|archive-date=June 15, 2016|url-status=live}}

On August 15, 2016, Ritzheimer pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge as part of a plea bargain deal.{{cite news |last=Woolington |first=Rebecca |date=August 16, 2016 |orig-year=1st pub. August 15, 2016 |title=Oregon standoff defendant Jon Ritzheimer pleads guilty in federal conspiracy case |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/08/oregon_standoff_defendant_jon_1.html |work=The Oregonian/OregonLive.com |publisher=Advance Publications |issn=8750-1317 |access-date=August 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815220033/http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/08/oregon_standoff_defendant_jon_1.html |archive-date=August 15, 2016 |url-status=live }} On November 30, 2017, Ritzheimer was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison and must spend another 12 months in a residential re-entry program.[http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2017/11/oregon_refuge_occupier_jon_rit.html/ Oregon refuge occupier Jon Ritzheimer: 'I am extremely sorry for this entire mess] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043026/http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2017/11/oregon_refuge_occupier_jon_rit.html |date=December 1, 2017 }}, The Oregonian, Maxine Bernstein, November 30, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.

Ritzheimer is married and has two children.{{cite news |first=Christian |last=De La Rosa |title=Retired Marine tries to clear name after controversial rally outside mosque |publisher=KSWB-TV |url=http://fox5sandiego.com/2015/06/05/retired-marine-fears-for-his-life-after-controversial-rally-outside-mosque/ |date=June 5, 2015 |accessdate=January 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131042826/http://fox5sandiego.com/2015/06/05/retired-marine-fears-for-his-life-after-controversial-rally-outside-mosque/ |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |url-status=live }} During the occupation he reportedly lived off of veterans disability checks and his wife's working income.{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Boggioni |title=Broke, unemployed and on disability: Here's how the Oregon militants can afford to play 'patriot' games |work=Raw Story |url=http://www.rawstory.com/2016/01/broke-unemployed-and-on-disability-heres-how-the-oregon-militants-can-afford-to-play-patriot-games/ |date=January 8, 2016 |accessdate=January 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109005314/http://www.rawstory.com/2016/01/broke-unemployed-and-on-disability-heres-how-the-oregon-militants-can-afford-to-play-patriot-games/ |archive-date=January 9, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://therightscoop.com/marine-to-host-drawing-muhammad-rally-outside-arizona-mosque-tomorrow |title=Marine to host 'Drawing Muhammad' rally outside Arizona Mosque tomorrow |date=May 28, 2015 |access-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329102240/https://therightscoop.com/marine-to-host-drawing-muhammad-rally-outside-arizona-mosque-tomorrow/ |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |url-status=live }}

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• [http://www.rogueinfidel.com Rogue Infidel, Ritzheimer's e-Commerce website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127060319/http://www.rogueinfidel.com/ |date=January 27, 2016 }}

{{Malheur National Wildlife Refuge}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ritzheimer, Jon}}

Category:1983 births

Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War

Category:American prisoners and detainees

Category:Arizona Republicans

Category:American critics of Islam

Category:Place of birth missing (living people)

Category:Living people

Category:Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government

Category:United States Marines

Category:People from Lakeside, California

Category:Patriot movement