9 Hutaree members face federal charges of conspiracy, attempting to use weapons of mass destruction
Michigan State Police guard a home, center rear, on Tomer Street in Clayton, Mich. on Sunday afternoon after an FBI raid of a home of a suspected militia leader.
Madalyn Ruggiero | The Associated Press
A local militia group that twice helped Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies search for missing people had discussed killing a law enforcement officer, then attacking officers who attended the funeral, a federal indictment alleges.
Instead, militia members say the Hutaree militia group was raided Saturday night by federal law enforcement agents during a memorial service in the Ann Arbor area for one of its members.
Asked about that particular raid, FBI spokeswoman Sandra Berchtold said this afternoon, "I can't confirm or deny the events of the arrests." Berchtold said five arrests were made in the Washtenaw/Lenawee county area.
Nine members of Hutaree - described by authorities as an anti-government extremist organization - have been indicted on charges of attempting to use weapons of mass destruction. All are in custody.
At least one member charged lives in Washtenaw County. Hutaree members, who trained in Lenawee County, where the group has a small headquarters, "conspired to levy war against the United States," the indictment says.
The indictments were unsealed this morning,two days after FBI agents conducted raids in southeast Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Among those charged are six Michigan residents, two Ohio residents and one Indiana resident.
RELATED CONTENT
- Read the indictment
- Coverage of the FBI's investigation targeting Hutaree
- Militia group preparing for battle with Anti-Christ, Web site shows
- FBI raids in Washtenaw, Lenawee counties tied to Michigan militia group
- Bridgewater Township official turns to militia for help; watchdog groups question decision
According to the indictment, the leader of Hutaree, David Brian Stone (known as RD), was plotting to kill an unspecified member of law enforcement, then attack law enforcement vehicles in the funeral procession motorcade with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Militia members say that Stone also is the group's pastor. According to the indictment, his son, Joshua Matthew Stone, provided materials to manufacture such devices. David Stone had researched the devices on the Internet and emailed diagrams of them to someone he thought could build them, the indictment alleges.
Charged in the indictment are:
- David Brian Stone (RD) of Clayton, Mich.
- David Brian Stone Jr. (Junior) of Adrian (the son of David Brian Stone)
- Joshua Matthew Stone (Josh) of Clayton (the son of David Brian Stone)
- Tina Mae Stone of Clayton (the wife of David Brian Stone)
- Joshua John Clough (Azzurlin) of Blissfield
- Michael David Meeks (Mikey) of Manchester Township
- Thomas William Piatek of Whiting, Ind.
- Khristopher T. Sickles (Pale Horse) of Sandusky, Ohio
- Jacob J. Ward (Jake) of Huron, Ohio
All are charged with seditious conspiracy, attempting to use weapons of mass destruction and two counts possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Some face additional charges. If convicted, they could spend the rest of their lives in prison.
The indicted suspects include (clockwise from top left): David Stone Sr., David Stone Jr., Tina Stone, Joshua Clough, Jacob Ward, Kristopher Sickles, Thomas Piatek and Michael Meeks.
Joshua Stone, sought since the raids, was arrested tonight in Hillsdale County, the FBI said at 9 p.m. Details of the arrest were not released.
Seven others are being held without bail after making their first appearances in federal court in Detroit this morning. Arraignment and bond hearings for the seven were set for 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Local militia leader Jimmy Schiel told AnnArbor.com on Sunday that five Hutaree members were taken into custody during Saturday's raid. Eight Hutaree members were at the memorial service, he said. Schiel, who is not a Hutaree member, didn't know who organized the service. He was invited, but did not attend. He spoke to a Hutaree member who was there, he said.
Donna Stone, 44, of Adrian, divorced David Stone, Sr. three years ago after he started taking the movement too far, she said during an interview prior to today's court hearing. He lured her son, 19-year-old David Stone, Jr. into Hutaree, she said.
"He dragged a lot of innocent people down with him," she said. "It started to get worse when they were talking about the world's gonna end and the Bible."
Law enforcement agents raided David Stone's trailer in Dover Township in Lenawee County about 7 p.m. Saturday, looking for bombs and explosives, she said.
The indictment says Stone established a rank structure for the unit and created words that only Hutaree members would understand for "various military formations and maneuvers."
David Stone Jr.'s fiancee, Brittany Bryant, 18, of Adrian, said at least 10 FBI agents raided her home Saturday night. They told her to leave her 6-month-old on the couch and come outside, she said.
"They had guns pointing at my head when I opened the door," said Bryant, who also attended the court hearing. "They were looking for weapons, documents, anything they could find for evidence."
Donna Stone, David Brian Stone's ex-wife, cries as she talks to members of the media outside the federal courthouse on Monday.
Jerry S. Mendoza | The Associated Press
Michael Meeks, of Manchester Township, was among three Hutaree members to participate recently in the search for a missing Bridgewater Township woman on Jan. 13. About six militia members assisted in that search after Bridgewater Township Supervisor Jolea Mull contacted Schiel and asked for help from the militia. They worked with sheriff's deputies, firefighters and other volunteers. A Hutaree member also assisted in a search for a missing Bridgewater Township man on Feb. 17. AnnArbor.com reported Thursday that Hutaree members were involved in those searches. Meeks' family members could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
The indictment says Hutaree advocates violence against local, state and federal law enforcement. Members are sometimes recognizable by their tiger stripe camouflage uniforms with a distinct shoulder patch that contains a black cross, two brown vertical pillars that form the letter "H" with the black cross, two red spears, a brown "V" shape at the base of the cross symbolizing the supporting hands of Hutaree, and the initials "CCR." At least four of the group's members live in Washtenaw County, including three in Manchester Township. Another member lives in Scio Township. The unit trains with AR-15s. The group claims to have between 25 and 30 members. It had a unit in Texas that disbanded a year ago that had at least six members, militia members said.
Since at least 2008, members have been meeting regularly and conducting military-style training in Lenawee County to prepare for "war with their enemy," the indictment says.
The documents describe enemies as state and local law enforcement officers who are deemed “foot soldiers of the federal government,” as well as federal law enforcement officers and anyone who does not share their beliefs.
According to the indictment, the group had also discussed, "killing a member of law enforcement after a traffic stop, killing a member of law enforcement and his or her family at home, ambushing a member of law enforcement in rural communities, (and) luring a member of law enforcement with a false 911 emergency call and then killing him or her."
After the attack, Hutaree members would retreat to one of several "rally points" to wage war against the government and be prepared to defend with "trip-wired and command detonated anti-personnel improvised explosive devices, ambushes, and prepared fighting positions," the indictment says. That action, Hutaree believed, would serve as a catalyst for a more widespread uprising against the government, the indictment says.
According to the indictment, several Hutaree members attempted to travel to Kentucky for a summit of militia groups on Feb. 6. David Brian Stone solicited a person to provide four IEDs to take to the summit, the indictment alleges. The indictment also alleges that Stone and David Brian Stone Jr. taught other Hutaree members how to make and use explosives.
This photo from the Hutaree website shows members training. The training is held in secret locations and is closed to the public.
It's unclear whether Hutaree was capable of executing any of their alleged plans. The indictment does not detail what was recovered during the raids. U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan said in a statement that the Hutaree had "planned a covert reconnaissance operation for April, which had the potential of placing an unsuspecting member of the public at risk."
Because of the risk to the public and law enforcement, it "demanded intervention," McQuade said. According to the indictment, anyone who "happened upon the (reconnaissance) exercise" who did not comply with Hutaree members' demands could be killed.
Michael Lackomar, a spokesman for the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia, which was not targeted in the raids, said today that there's a "sense of relief" in the militia movement that the law enforcement operation appears to be limited to Hutaree. He has received phone calls from militia members across the country who have been on alert, he said.
The raid has effectively dismantled Hutaree, he said.
"This is a devastating raid," he said. "Anybody that's left from the group is probably gonna be keeping a low profile for a long, long time."
Lackomar said he views Hutaree as a cult. His group had a falling out with Hutaree in February 2007, he said, because his unit's members wouldn't follow Hutaree's leaders.
"They wanted to take control of the militia movement as a whole," he said. "They wanted us to become subservient to their unit."
The arrests come as watchdog groups including the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center have expressed concerns about the growth of the militia movement. In the past year and a half, the number of militia groups in the United States has quadrupled to 200, the ADL said. The growth of the movement has been attributed to fears of economic collapse and the potential for a crackdown on gun rights under the Obama administration, watchdog groups say.
Andrew Arena, the FBI's special agent in charge in Detroit, said in a prepared statement, "This is an example of radical and fringe extremist groups which can be found throughout our society. The FBI takes such extremist groups seriously, especially those who would target innocent citizens and the law enforcement officers who protect the citizens of the United States."
News Director Amalie Nash contributed to this report. Lee Higgins is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Steve Pepple
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.
A comment was removed because it presumed guilt on the part of people accused of crime.
Lokalisierung
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 12:29 p.m.
So was it after the whole "Iraq WMD" failure that they changed the definition of WMD to anything that can kill a couple people? Liek a small bomb? Isn't that taking it a little too far? I guess I'm not suprised.
Lokalisierung
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
I understand they had to prepare themselves and they had some big weapon stickpiles in there and the ATF had to be ready, agreed. But that really doesn't speak to any of my points I talked about. They did go up to the door and talk to Koresh. Then the shots were fired and the standoff began then. I don't think the branch dividians are swell people, the religious, so I think they're wacked out to begin with, and then they took it way further. But you can't be saying the ATF ran a smooth operation then. It's widely regarded as just a complete and utter failure. It's worse than Ruby Ridge which was comical at best.
clownfish
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 12:02 p.m.
@ Lokalisierung-- The warrant was served on Vernon Howell (Koresh) AND his property, to wit; United States District Court Western District of Texas SEARCH WARRANT W93-15M In the Matter of the Search of residence of Vernon Wayne Howell, and others, Rt. 7, Box 471-B, AKA: Mount Carmel Center, McLennan County, TX, its appurtenances, vehicles, underground structures located on entire premises of the 77 acre compound. See attached photos & property description Attachments A, B and C. To: Special Agent Davy Aguilera and any Authorized Officer of the United States Affidavit(s) having been made before me by S/A Davy Aguilera who has reason to believe that on the premises known as the residence of Vernon Wayne Howell and others, Rt 7 Box 471-B, AKA: Mount Carmel Center, Waco, McLennan County, Texas, its appurtenances, vehicles underground structures located on entire premises of the 77 acre compound....YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to search on or before February 28,1993 (not to exceed ten days) the person or place named above for the person or property specified, serving this warrant and making the search in the daytime -6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M Attachment D The following property is concealed: A quantity of firearms, including but not limited to: an assortment of AR-15 rifles and AK-47 rifles, and parts thereof, along with a quantity of assorted machinegun conversion parts, which, when assembled, would be classified as machineguns, machinerty and implements used or suitable for use in converting semi-automatic weapons to fully automatic and for constructing destructive devices such as pipe bombs, and homemade grenades, this machinery would include, but not limited to metal lathes and milling machines,.50 caliber anti-tank rifle, sten guns, grenade launchers, practice rifle grenades, practice hand grenades, various chemicals, including but not limited to black powder, igniter cord, aluminum metal powder and potassium nitrate, magnesium metal powder, metals in various forms, inert "pineapple" type hand grenades, pipe bombs and parts thereof, and other suitable casings of unknown description which, when assembled, would be classified as destructive devices as those terms are defined in Section 5845 (b), and Section 5845 (f), Chapter 53, Title 26, United States Code, which are not registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, Washington, D.C., as required by law, and documentary and computerized evidence of receipt, ownership and instructions for converting semi-automatic firearms into machineguns, and the construction of improvised explosive weapons, including computer hardware, peripheral equipment and software containing files and directories and the information theron. This is to include any disks, manuals, printouts and other assorted computer equipment. The agents were searching for illegal weapons. It is SOP to come to such an event prepared, not to "stroll up" to a door and ask if you would mind if we came in.
Lokalisierung
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 11:38 a.m.
"I really, really want to read a logical, coherent reasoned argument for shooting a federal agent serving a warrant." I do not believe there is a great argument because I believe it is completley wrong. My point was the warrent was served to David Koresh, who was unarmed, and then shots were fired. No one was shot or injured/killed at the time the warrent was served. No one has proven who fired the first shots. both sides (of course) say the other side did. What I think we all agree on is that the entire Waco thing was a total ATF disaster from start to finish, so I'm not just going to believe them over the other side (which I agree was filled the wack jobs). Now sure, my side of this is more than a little nit-pciky, BUT your post also makes it sound like the ATF strolled up to the door and the Branch Dividians shot and killed a federal agent, which isn't the way it happened.
Alan Benard
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 9:30 a.m.
@clownfish: (Hey, what ever happened to the theory of the "Unitary Executive"? Seems to have lost it's luster all of a sudden) If the president does it, it is not illegal. -- Richard Nixon
clownfish
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 9:08 a.m.
whoops.. "..allegedly planned on killing Americans." Sorry, An important point.
clownfish
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
"I would consider that we are living under a Socialist dictator and that our rights are the things that are in danger."-Amy Zowie! OK- 1: The current Commander in Chief was ELECTED by the electoral college, with a massive majority. That makes him the President for 4 years, NOT a "dictator". 2: President Obama is no more socialist than the majority of Americans. He is a left of center pragmatist, and barely left at that. He has set no centralized control of production, even at firms now owned by the govt. His advisors come from the business world, as well as academia, just like every other president before. He signed no socialist insurance bill, there is NO single payer, NO new "government run" health care, no "death panels", NO GUN TAXES, NO ATTEMPTS TO TAKE ANYBODIES GUNS, NO ATTEMPTS TO STOP AMMUNITION PRODUCTION. 3: There is no Armageddon coming because Americans will be required to have PRIVATE medical insurance. 4: You have ALL the rights you had under the previous administration, actually probably more. Amy, do you realize that things people say and write, like your comments about a "dictator" are the reason people like the Hutaree group plan on KILLING AMERICANS? When a congress person says the passage of a health insurance bill is equal to "Armageddon", some people take that seriously. They then want to kill, blow up up buildings with kids in them, shoot down doctors in churches, fly planes into IRS offices. Maybe some facts and common sense would help save lives? Maybe time to turn off those that tell you this nonsense and seek out some new sources of info, sources like the Dianne Rehm Show maybe. 91.70, M-F 10:00-12:00. Try it, you may find yourself not calling the Commander in Chief a dictator while he tries to fight two wars. (Hey, what ever happened to the theory of the "Unitary Executive"? Seems to have lost it's luster all of a sudden)
Alan Benard
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 8:11 a.m.
Should the accusations be founded, it is tragic to me that the Stones raised their son in a culture of paranoid violence which may lead to him spending life in prison at age 19. He is of course a grown man and made his own decisions, but in an atmosphere experts describe as a cult.
Amy
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 7:22 a.m.
Most of these comments are a shot in the dark and are more disturbing than the 'alleged' evidence of the militia. Are all of you so quick to believe and judge from a few seconds of 'facts' that you are fed by a profit driven media??? Amazing.
Dave66
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 6:19 a.m.
"That action, Hutaree believed, would serve as a catalyst for a more widespread uprising against the government, the indictment says." Wasn't that the motivation behind the Oklahoma City attack? That's proof of insanity right there. NOTHING can serve as a catalyst for widespread action among the American people. We are much to inert for that.
Jon Saalberg
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 6:15 a.m.
Wonderful. Yet another bit of fodder for the late-night talk show hosts. Michigan - home of economic woes and right-wing fanatics.
Amy
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 5:21 a.m.
Doesn't ANYONE find it strange that the media AND the FBI are so quick to post ALL the details of this story and the names of the people??? If you are worried about dangerous times, I would consider that we are living under a Socialist dictator and that our rights are the things that are in danger. Perhaps a good majority of these people are innocent...one has to wonder...don't be so quick to judge. I don't know the facts yet, but reading ONE paper's account of the facts is not going to tell me the truth.
clownfish
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:51 p.m.
"so far nobody has taken the route of the Davidians, shoot down a person serving a warrant," First of all, that never happened. Never happened? How did 4 agents get dead then? I really, really want to read a logical, coherent reasoned argument for shooting a federal agent serving a warrant. Under what circumstances would you recommend your children follow that course of action? Please share some examples of when that tactic has gone well and produced a positive outcome.
Ian
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10 p.m.
@charles You mean like pre-crime in the Minority Report?
charles lightoller
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 9:21 p.m.
The reason the FBI, etc. moved now it seems is because there was information that the so called Hutaree were about to run a "practice" session which would have required them to "eliminate" anyone who happened upon them and could make a report. The big show was set for April (Easter?). Don't know anything about the Bridgewater people, but the least we could say is that they showed extremely poor judgement in calling upon Hutaree member sfor community aid. The Hutaree website was scary and offensive and told the world just what they were (are). Should have been read by the Twp. Sure the feds were watching.
Ian
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 7:41 p.m.
All you smart people. Let's keep in mind that these are only allegations. People are presumed innocent until proven guilty. So many people just assume all the allegations are true. Iraq had NO WMDs and we ended up killing over 1,000,000 innocent Iraqis. That is a real crime.
AAFish
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 6:13 p.m.
And to think, I'd always thought these silly jokers were primarily interested in romping around playing Dress-Up Soldier, the way I used to do (when I was about eight or nine years old). Hm-m-m. Appears to be a bit more serious than that.
Lokalisierung
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 4:53 p.m.
"so far nobody has taken the route of the Davidians, shoot down a person serving a warrant," First of all, that never happened. Secondly the raid with these dudes happened becasue their was a whole mess of proof of illegal actions. The ATF served a warrent with 80 armed officers for a $200 tax if I'm not mistaken.
clownfish
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 4:42 p.m.
"Interesting aside... It appears Eric Holder learned a lesson from his mistakes with the Branch Davidians under Clinton. No tanks and no guns blazing this time." so far nobody has taken the route of the Davidians, shoot down a person serving a warrant, then barricade themselves in waiting for word from God about when the best time to stop wasting the US tax payers money and give in to the laws that guide civilized people. I would be interested to read any comments you may have left regarding the killing of an alleged Islamic radical in Detroit a few months ago. I have read nothing on right wing sights comparing that to Waco. On the contrary, the blogs I have read by "patriots" almost universally say he had it coming. Funny how viewpoint changes depending on which prophet is believed.
iceman
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 2:37 p.m.
Looks like someones using Ann Arbors greenbelt!
Griffen
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 2:32 p.m.
@ Atticus F., anyone that advocates the taking of human life (without proper cause) is, in my opinion, morally bankrupt. Hutaree members planned to execute law enforcement personnel. They may be charged under the Federal Homeland security act, a federal crime punishable by the Death.
djm12652
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.
@Gribble...like I said, stupid is as stupid does. I have camo pants for hunting...that does not give me military expertise...
djm12652
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 2:01 p.m.
okay, did the "alleged" conspirators actually think that by killing an officer of the law [and possibly his family] really cause the rest of the Law Enforcement Agencies to be de-moralized and down-trodden? Or did they [the alleged conspirators] think that an armed response would be the re-action? An armed response that they [the alleged conspirators] would never win. I'm not calling anyone names here, but to quote Forest Gump "stupid is as stupid does"...
clownfish
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
I would think that the Bridgewater Supervisor has some 'splainin' to do at the next twp meeting. Did he/she know the history of the militia movement in this country? Was he/she aware of the Hutaree movements ideas on local/state/federal governments? Will the opponents of the elected official be able to use these people as "Bill Ayers" dopplegangers in the next election? (Only if nobody is ever charged, I guess.) If I were a Bridgewater resident I would sure want to know why my twp officials used suspected terrorists as searchers rather than calling on licensed search and rescue volunteers. Even before this raid by the feds there is a known history of domestic terrorism rising from the "militia" movement. It is growing problem, recognized by most local/state and federal law enforcement agencies, not just a figment of liberal imagination.
Atticus F.
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.
@griffen, morally bankrupt is a matter of oppinion, not fact.
Griffen
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 12:36 p.m.
This is pathetic for our State. ANot just are we in shambles economically, but now the world will take note that we're morally bankrupt as well. Thanks a bunch Hutaree!
elahaie
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 12:10 p.m.
"imagine no religion..." the world would be a far better place! certainly safer. nothing more dangerous and volatile than a collection of lunatics with a gun in one hand and a bible in the other. what's realy disturbing is we have an elected official in bridgewater twp consorting with these extremists. "yeah! they're just a great group of regular folk! yuk! yuk!"
Jake C
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.
@Homergrible: So when elected representatives do something that a portion of the population doesn't like, it's justified for extremists to kill local police officers? That makes about as much sense as nuking Ohio because there's some criminals in Pennsylvania.
EABoek
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 11:17 a.m.
Sounds to me that the Feds ordered a clamp down on this militia group due to the fact that the local Law enforcement were using at least one member for search and rescue mission. This might make these groups appear too mainstream, as of course many of them are. People who say they know these militia members personally say they are good, christian people, not wild ones. Why would these folks as a group planning to kill local law enforcement. Makes little sense as I have not heard any motive for this type of action at all. Some expect patriot act to be used domestically to keep these folks inside with no bail. Several militias have been "called up" and "activated" what ever that means and according to a You tube video I just watched. The Feds have been put on notice...Predictions are not good.
Homergrible
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
This is what happens when gov. Stops listening to the people.
Bryan123
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:45 a.m.
First of all, I definitely oppose any violence against law enforcement officers. It definitely is a disgusting thing to plot to use IEDs against police officers who for the most part are dedicated to serving the community and putting their lives at stake to keep citizens safe. So, I would support severe prison sentences if people could be proven to have engaged in plotting something like this. With that being said, I think it's odd to call IEDs "weapons of mass destruction". If IEDS fit the definition, then the CIA was right about Iraq all along. They certainly had things much worse than IEDs. When the US invaded, they were met by Iraqi tanks. If an IED fits the definition of a WMD, then we found tons of them in Iraq. I think it's confusing to calling IEDs weapons of mass destruction, even if that's some sort of legal definition which has been created post-9/11.
Jake C
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:40 a.m.
ACertainMan: You seem quite certain that the Hutaree arrested so far are merely targets of a government conspiracy to distract from other important issues. Do you have any inside knowledge you'd like to share?
Jake C
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:25 a.m.
Bananas: Surprisingly, the article on Infowars.com seems to be fairly accurate in terms of the events that occurred. Just because it's on a website with an extremist viewpoint doesn't necessarily make it false. Of course, most of the comments are horrible and disgusting, but that part doesn't surprise me at all.
Terry Calhoun
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:24 a.m.
Not just Meeks, another one of those helpful-to-Bridgewater Township officials belongs to Hutaree: "Wendy Lineweaver, 43, of Manchester Township, a Hutaree member, participated in both searches in the township."
ACertainMan
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:23 a.m.
Homework Assignment: Tell us the dif between Weapons of Mass Destruction & Weapons of Mass Distraction & how they relate to each other in this 2010 false Left/Right Paradigm.
Technojunkie
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:17 a.m.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sec_18_00002332---a000-.html "(2) the term weapon of mass destruction means (A) any destructive device as defined in section 921 of this title; (B) any weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors; (C) any weapon involving a biological agent, toxin, or vector (as those terms are defined in section 178 of this title); or (D) any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life;" http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00000921----000-.html "(4) The term destructive device means (A) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas (i) bomb, (ii) grenade, (iii) rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, (iv) missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, (v) mine, or (vi) device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clauses;" There's more at the links but that's the gist of it. Saying "IED" would be more accurate than "WMD". "...specifically, explosive bombs, explosive mines, and other similar devices" on page 8 of the indictment. If Hutaree is as bat-poop crazy as the indictment alleges, it's no wonder the FBI swooped in. Training to defend and stay alive after things go bad is well and good. Going on offense against law enforcement and trying to incite the violent overthrow of the government is nuts. Soap box, ballot box, jury box, cartridge box, IN THAT ORDER. They haven't taken away the ballot box yet. Use it. No mention of Islamic groups at all. I bet that CAIR spokesman made up his story to get in the news. I will presume that the FBI has comm intercepts proving seditious conspiracy. I'm having trouble believing that anyone is as loony as the indictment alleges, especially Christians who would act so contrary to Christ's teaching, but it's a crazy world.
ACertainMan
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:16 a.m.
"I've often thought that the next terrorist attack on US soil may be more likely to be carried out by a domestic group with claimed Christian foundations..." - amlive. Or another False Flag attack blaimed on them. Why is it that the US Gov admits that The Gulf of Tonkin was a staged event and of course was used to esculate the war in Vietnam and none of the highly visable, during the last Bush Admin, so called anti-war protesters in A2 seem to care? The war in Afghanastan has been esculated by THIS Admin and are these folks still on the corner of 5th Ave & Liberty... weekly, daily, month;y... at all? Just askin' I'm sure that this will be censored too but if you read it before the overbearing lords of conversation remove it... THINK!
Jake C
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:13 a.m.
John, I understand reading is hard sometimes, but it is right there in the article. "Meeks, of Manchester Township, participated recently in the search for a missing Bridgewater Township woman. His family members could not be reached by AnnArbor.com on Sunday."
amlive
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
While I feel "weapons of mass destruction" would be better defined as more "massive" than IED's, the alleged conspiracy is none the less disturbing. I've often thought that the next terrorist attack on US soil may be more likely to be carried out by a domestic group with claimed Christian foundations, rather than one that proclaims to be following Islam. If nothing else, this should serve as a poignant example of how Islamic radicals should be taken to represent the general population of the Musilm faith no more than Christian radicals should be taken as representative of Christianity. Christian and Muslim cultures are not really that different in this regard. There are wacko extremists on both sides, and conspiracies like this are driven more by social circumstances than true religious doctrine. Either side will find a way to justify their acts as they see fit, and this goes to show how "they" are indeed no worse than "we" are.
djm12652
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:08 a.m.
"Additional comment have been removed, either because they presumed guilt on the part of people who have been accused of crimes, or because they raised other issues that are not directly related to this story, or because of name-calling." What is wrong with this post, Mr. Dearing? Is proper grammar not required by a2.com? I be distracted by the bad inglish....
John Galt
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:05 a.m.
I find it interesting that AnnArbor.com featured a story about how Hutaree had been working WITH local police agencies in a missing person case just days ago. Why is AnnArbor.com not mentioning that here? Isn't it relavant?
ACertainMan
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 9:35 a.m.
. Michigan State Police said the raids are not terror related, but would not comment further. MORE:
ToddAustin
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 9:32 a.m.
We live in dangerous times, indeed. Pay your taxes and support your (socialized) police. Then get on with your lives and refuse to live in fear of extremists.
glimmertwin
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 9:32 a.m.
I watched one of their videos this morning and one thing that struck me. I'm no military expert, but I know enough that when at rest or moving near your friends, you don't point your weapon at them. Unless I'm wrong, they appear to be rank amateurs in the the weapons-handling area.
Top Cat
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 9:07 a.m.
This story and the bombing in the Moscow subway greet us on Monday morning. We are in dangerous times. Be alert.