Motorcyclists Accused of Violating Order

Five motorcyclists who rode over the protected habitat of the endangered desert tortoise last fall have been charged with violating a federal order that closed the Mojave Desert route, the U.S. attorney’s office said Friday.

The group was protesting cancellation of the annual Barstow to Las Vegas off-road race on Nov. 24 when they were arrested for violating the Bureau of Land Management’s closure order.

The BLM ordered a temporary closure of the route from Nov. 21 to Dec. 2, claiming the bikes rip up desert land, damage vegetation and threaten animals, including the endangered desert tortoise, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

Federal prosecutors filed one count of failure to comply with a closure order against Richard Sieman, 51, of Granada Hills. Sieman is the president and co-founder of the Sahara Club, the off-road racing enthusiasts’ club.

Also charged with the same count was Barry W. Van Dyke, 39, of Agoura Hills; Patrick R. Martin, 38, of Sepulveda; Wesley S. Holmes, 34, of Simi Valley, and Lowell Webb, 55, of Soquel in Santa Cruz County.

Hochman said the investigation took several months because his office wanted to develop the strongest possible case against the defendants. Each of the five faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, prosecutors said. Their arraignment is scheduled for May 20.