Jon Ritzheimer, one of the most radical and visible militants active in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation, will likely be extradited back to Portland, according to an FBI official.
Ritzheimer, the Malheur occupier and founder of the anti-Islam apparel company Rogue Infidel, had traveled back to Arizona to be with his family when seven fellow militants were arrested and another shot and killed by law enforcement officials in Oregon.
Kurt Remus, an FBI spokesman, said federal and local law enforcement officials knew Ritzheimer was in Arizona when they called him at around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and said it was time to surrender.
"He was aware of what happened [In Oregon]," Remus said. "We didn't feel like we should go barging into his house," Remus said of the warrant for Ritzheimer's arrest, but he added that FBI officials were "in the area" just in case.
Ritzheimer surrendered to authorities at the 4th Avenue jail in the Phoenix area later that night, Remus said.
"He chose to do the right thing," Remus said.
Remus said given Ritzheimer's background, "it's likely he'll be detained" and moved to a federal facility in Florence, Ariz.
This photo provided by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, shows Jon Ritzheimer, who was arrested in Arizona on Tuesday, Jan. 26, in connection with the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. (Maricopa County Sheriffs Office via AP)
From there, Remus said, Ritzheimer would "likely" be extradited to Portland.
"I don't think the government would waive that appearance in Oregon," he added.
The 32-year-old appeared in U.S. District Court in Phoenix for a preliminary hearing wearing a flannel shirt and hiking boots Wednesday afternoon. He said little, according to the Associated Press and responded to simple questions with "yes, sir."
Ritzheimer, alone with the Bundy brothers and others arrested Tuesday, faces a felony charge of conspiracy to impede federal officials in their official duties through the use of force, intimidation or threats.
At his detention hearing scheduled for Feb. 2, Ritzheimer will either be held or discharged on bail.
Elizabeth Kruschek, Ritzheimer's court-appointed attorney, did not immediately respond to a call or email.
-- Andrew Theen
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@andrewtheen