On Tuesday, July 10, President Donald Trump granted full pardons to Oregon ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond. The father and son pair were tried and convicted under the Anti-terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 after a prescribed fire they set on private property spread onto adjoining federal land in two different instances. The first was in 2001 and the second was in 2006. In total, not even 140 acres of federal land were burned.
The pair was originally found guilty of some of the charges and sentenced, though Federal Judge Michael Hogan utilized judicial discretion, noting that the mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison would “shock the conscience” and be “grossly disproportionate to the severity” of the Hammonds’ actions.
Following close to a year served in prison by both men, an appeal was filed and a second judge ordered they return to prison to fulfill the full five-year sentences. Dwight Hammond, now 76 years old, has served about three years, and his son Steven, 49, has served about four.
In writing the pardon, Trump said, “Justice is overdue for Dwight and Steven Hammond, both of whom are entirely deserving of these Grants of Executive Clemency.”
Look for more in-depth coverage of this story in WLJ’s July 16 paper, or online on July 13. — WLJ
