Before Being Arrested, Militiaman Exploited His Children Online For Sob Story Donations

Arguably the most YouTube-famous of the Bundy militia crew, Jon Ritzheimer was one of the many who were in FBI custody on Tuesday night after a police sting took down the leaders of the outlaw occupiers.

Ritzheimer has posted several videos online, one of him tearfully telling his family goodbye and that he loves them. In another, the rebel sweeps a pile of gag gifts off of a table, doing his best to appear nonchalant about the public’s very public opinion of the movement.

Now, Ritzheimer has revealed just how despicable he really is. Shortly before Ritzheimer handed himself over to police, he returned home to Arizona to say goodbye to his wife and two young daughters. Ritzheimer had his wife record the interaction between the man and his children; the little girls were dressed in their nightgowns and tearfully embraced their father as he told them to “be strong” and that “daddy has to go away for a while.”

The video was posted along with this message:

“I came home to visit my family. The Feds know I am here and are asking me to turn myself in. I need an attorney so I can get back to my girls. Please help my family. Donations can be made at www.rogueinfidel.com to help with legal fees. Thank you all in advance. I just want the country to live by the Constitution and I just want the government to abide by it.”

This video should not make anyone feel sympathy for Ritzheimer. Sympathy for his children, sure. But Ritzheimer already elected to abandon his family for nearly a month on his own. The government isn’t separating this family, his stupidity is.

How dare this man use his children to emotionally manipulate donations from the public.