Ehrlin sentenced in Mann Creek incident

Erik Ehrlin, the Greenleaf man who was arrested following a 2021 incident at a Mann Creek campground involving federal officers, has been sentenced to 78 months, or 6.5 years, in federal prison.

 Ehrlin, 33, who was charged with firearms violations and assaulting an officer, was investigated for vandalism on government property in the Mann Creek area beginning in March 2021, according to a media release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice.

 The vandalism included “SAI” markings, referring to the Sovereign Alliance of Idaho, and threats to federal employees.

 The U.S. Forest Service eventually identified Ehrlin as a possible suspect. He was previously convicted of sexual abuse in the first degree in Oregon and cannot legally possess firearms.

Mann Creek

 On April 30, 2021, a USFS special agent and a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy located Ehrlin at a campsite at Mann Creek where he was observed with an adult female and a small child. 

 The officers also observed a semi-automatic rifle at the campsite.

 He ultimately attempted to flee the scene when contacted, striking the USFS agent with part of his 2018 Nissan Titan. As he attempted to drive from the site, the agent opened fire, hitting the truck’s tire, according to a Washington County Sheriff’s Office report. 

 Ehrlin was then ordered to exit the vehicle. 

 He complied and was handcuffed and detained at that time.

 Upon search of the truck, the Washington County deputy found what he suspected to be marijuana, a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun, and a duffel bag filled with ammunition. He also found a black face cover, five pairs of zip-tie flex handcuffs, a black flashlight, a roll of duct tape, and gloves, according to the Sheriff’s report.

 According to the DOJ media release, authorities also found body armor, a red and blue siren, and a “POLICE” patch.

 “On Ehrlin’s person, law enforcement located a Boise Police badge. Ehrlin is not a police officer,” the release states. “Ehrlin also possessed ammunition that contained writing on it, stating “DIE McLean,” most likely a reference to Boise Mayor Lauren McClean, who is a Democrat.

 Ehrlin was charged and later booked into the Washington County Jail. Originally scheduled for sentencing in May 2022, he faced a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the firearm charge and one year for assault.

 “A search of Ehrlin’s cell phone revealed text messages where Ehrlin described ways to commit mass violence against those with differing political views than him,” the DOJ’s media release states. “Specifically, he described wearing body armor while using an assault rifle to shoot hundreds of protesters. These text messages occurred in the context of discussing Black Lives Matter protests in October of 2020.”

 The Federal Bureau of Investigation obtained a search warrant for Ehrlin’s home in Greenleaf where they found a journal with references to the SAI, a .22-caliber rifle and a .22-caliber revolver.

 Ehrlin was sentenced on Aug. 3, 2022.

 U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, of the District of Idaho, commended the cooperative efforts of the FBI, U.S. Forest Service, and the Washington County Sheriff’s office.