Roberts Brothers, George & Ernest: Conspiracy

George F Roberts born 16 Oct 1863 in Watertown, NY his brother Ernest W. Roberts was born 3 Aug 1868 in Muskegon, MI, to Robert Owens Roberts (1829-1914) & Mary Elizabeth Tuttle (1937-1917).

Ernest W Roberts

Inmate: #18905 Leavenworth Federal Prison

Rec: 3 Feb 1923

Crime: Conspiracy To Injr. Civil Rights

George F. Roberts

Inmate: #19254 Leavenworth Prison

Rec: 25 Apr 1923

Crime: Conspiracy To Injr. Civil Rights

Here are a couple newspaper articles describing the crime they were convicted of

Was this like an Monopoly, were they kept buying land to keep others out? If so is this illegal?

A person commits conspiracy against civil rights when, without legal justification, he or she, with the intent to interfere with the free exercise of any right or privilege secured by the Constitution of the United States.

Here are all the Roberts children:

Charles E. Roberts

1858–1955

George F Roberts

1863–1966

Ernest W Roberts

1868–1967

Eva May Roberts

1874–1939

Grace Roberts

1879–1966

This family was not only well to do for ranchers, they were very much loved by their community as well. They all lived to be old.

Let's start with their father Robert Owens Roberts, he was a Civil War Veteran.

Here's his obituary

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100310893/robert-o-roberts/

George died Sep 1966 here's his obit

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100222667/george-f-roberts-obit/

Ernest died 6 Mar 1967 here's his obit

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100311404/ernest-roberts/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100311496/ernest-roberts/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100311539/ernest-roberts/

His marriage announcement he was married twice

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100222109/ernest-roberts-and-mary-luella-williams/

Charles obit

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100223119/charles-e-roberts-obit/

Grace's Obit & Will

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100224521/grace-roberts-obit/

Grace's marriage

Eva May Roberts wedding

She died in 1939

Eva's obit

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100312147/eva-may-swan-obit/

I am wondering who reported these brothers to the authorities and why, my thoughts are they were most likely innocent or naïve as to whatever happened. I am not sure but this family seemed to be good citizens with no other troubles with the law.

A few more of their prison records