Animal rights activists free pending trial

A federal magistrate judge has allowed two men charged in connection with a pair of mink farm raids to be released pending trial.

William James Viehl, 22, and Alex Jason Hall, 20, were ordered to have no contact with any members of the Animal Liberation Front or the Straight Edge movement. Court records show they also will submit to electronic monitoring and will have a curfew.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to a two-count indictment charging them with damage and interference with animal enterprises. A three-day trial has been scheduled beginning in May.

Viehl and Hall are accused in an August raid on a mink farm in South Jordan that led to the release of hundreds of minks. They also are accused of attempting to damage a Hyrum mink farm. The Animal Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the August attack.

— Ben Winslow