Man charged with threatening to take over ranch

by The Associated Press
| September 23, 2014 6:59 PM

HAMILTON (AP) — A 73-year-old Missoula man who lost his Florence-area ranch in a 1979 divorce and spent more than 20 years in prison for intimidating judges, attorneys and others involved in the case is now charged with threatening to kidnap the current owners and showing up at the property.

John Fesler Lance II was arrested at the ranch on Sept. 15 after Ravalli County deputies arrived to find him on the ground with owners Lee and Lucinda Hayne each pointing a gun at him.

He remained jailed Tuesday with his bail set at $200,000 on charges of intimidation, stalking, trespassing and violating a protective order.

Court records say Lance showed up outside Lucinda Hayne’s office on April 1, the day after he was released from prison.