Militia group members resign, say leader took money

BOISE, Idaho — More than 30 members of an Idaho militia group said they’ve resigned after the group’s president spent $2,900 in donations on personal items rather than using it to help four Idaho men facing charges from a 2014 armed standoff with government agents in Nevada.

The 36 members in mainly leadership positions of Idaho 3% announced the resignations Tuesday in a letter obtained by the Idaho Statesman.

The former members said that PayPal and bank account statements show that Brandon Curtiss used the money for car accessory purchases, iTunes downloads, camping at an Idaho state park, food and other charges.

One of the four facing charges is Scott Drexler of Challis, Idaho.

His daughter, Chelsea Hamel, said the PayPal and bank statements show that “a lot of money had been donated and our families never received anything from Brandon with the exception of the occasional $50.”

She said the four men received only $429 from the militia group’s donation efforts over the summer.

Drexler, Todd Engel, Eric Parker and Steve Stewart are charged with conspiracy, assault on a federal officer, use of a firearm, obstruction and other counts stemming from the April 2014 armed standoff with federal officers who were thwarted from taking cattle belonging to Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy in Bunkerville, Nevada.