Rancher Cliven Bundy’s son dropped from special drug court, faces time

Cliven Lance Bundy, son of the Bunkerville cattle rancher who’s got beef with the federal government, was dropped from a specialty drug court Thursday.

The younger Bundy, 35, will now face time in connection with felony charges involving burglary and firearms.

In the two years Bundy participated in the drug program, he was under house arrest and received treatment in an inpatient facility and a sober living house, according to Clark County court records. Bundy was in the third stage of the program and was near graduation.

Bundy appeared before district Court Judge Joseph Bonaventure on Thursday for having multiple bench warrants and failing drug tests, court minutes showed.

Bundy’s lawyer said his drug use stems from an injury, and that his client never got the chance to complete inpatient drug treatment due to the Salvation Army shutting down its inpatient program.

In its ruling, the court said the program had done all it could for Bundy, and the case was referred back to trial. Bundy’s next court date is scheduled for Feb. 4.

The elder Bundy made headlines last year when efforts by federal agents to remove his cattle from public land devolved into an armed standoff with a militia consisting of Bundy’s supporters.

Contact Wesley Juhl at wjuhl@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0391. Find him on Twitter: @WesJuhl.