Pipeline Protesters Sentenced to Prison, Probation

The prosecution of two anti-pipeline protestors who pleaded guilty to reduced charges in unrelated cases has resulted in probation for one and a federal prison sentence for the other.

In Bismark, N.D., a New Mexico man who took part in the Dakota Access oil pipeline protests was sentenced to three years in federal prison. 

Authorities say 45-year-old Michael Giron was part of a group that put barricades on a state highway south of Mandan, N.D., and set them on fire, then clashed with law officers. The incident happened Oct. 27, 2016.

Giron, who also goes by the name Little Feather, pleaded guilty to civil disorder in February in a plea agreement with prosecutors, who dismissed a more serious charge. He is the first of seven protesters charged with federal crimes to be sentenced.  He received credit for more than a year of time already served.

In Minneapolis, Karl Zimmerman Mayo, pleaded guilty to creating a public nuisance after misdemeanor counts of trespassing and burglary were dismissed. 

Mayo, 34, unfurled a banner protesting the Dakota Access pipeline from the rafters of U.S. Bank Stadium during a Minnesota Vikings game, The Star Tribune reported that he will serve a year of probation and perform 30 hours of community service.  Another defendant pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanors and is currently on trial in Minneapolis.

From Associated Press reports

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