In Bismarck, North Dakota, a man faces serious charges involving threats against former President Barack Obama and illegal activities at a historic site managed by the National Park Service. The man, Ian Patrick Stewart from Williston, is indicted on multiple felony counts following accusations that emerged recently.
The indictment, dated Wednesday, includes severe charges like burglary, damaging U.S. government property, making terroristic threats, committing malicious mischief, and threatening to kill a former president. Additionally, Stewart faces three counts related to threatening communications across state lines. These charges stem from incidents allegedly occurring between April 20 and May 13, during which Stewart is accused of threatening to kill Obama. Details of this alleged threat were not disclosed in the indictment. Furthermore, in May, Stewart allegedly threatened to harm three residents of Williston.
According to the court documents, on May 13, Stewart illegally entered the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. This intrusion reportedly took place outside of public visiting hours, leading to an evacuation of the building. During this incident, Stewart allegedly made threats against a Park Service employee and law enforcement officers from Williams County. The indictment states that Stewart was armed during the event.
In response to the situation described as a “barricaded subject situation”, various law enforcement agencies were deployed, causing the closure of the historic site and the access road. Stewart is currently held at the Ward County Detention Center in Minot, with a court appearance scheduled for Monday. Court records do not list an attorney for Stewart, and a voicemail from the news agency seeking comment went unanswered.
The Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site is located along the Missouri River, straddling the Montana-North Dakota border. It serves to preserve the history of the fur trade era and a trading post that played a significant role in the area during the 19th century.