Hutaree member Michael Meeks should be released on bond, motion by attorney says
A Hutaree member from Manchester Township who is accused of plotting to kill law enforcement officers should be released on an “unsecured bond,” his attorney wrote in a motion filed Thursday in federal court in Detroit.
Michael Meeks, 40, is one of eight members of the Christian militia group U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald Scheer ordered detained pending trial.
In total, nine members are in federal custody, having been indicted on charges that accuse them of conspiring to wage war against the United States. Among the allegations, is that members plotted to kill a law enforcement officer, then attack the funeral procession with homemade bombs.
Attorneys for six of the defendants have filed motions appealing detention, court records show. Prosecutors started to file responses today, but one has not yet been filed in Meeks' case.
Meeks is a truck driver and former member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, who served in combat during Desert Storm, says the motion by his attorney, Mark Satawa. He is not a "flight risk nor a danger to the community," the motion says.
Satawa noted that Meeks’ criminal record is minor. Washtenaw County Circuit Court records show Meeks has a misdemeanor drunken driving conviction.
Meeks was among three Hutaree members to participate in a search for a missing Bridgewater Township woman Jan. 13. A Bridgewater Township official asked militia members to help in the search.
Satawa requested Meeks be released under numerous conditions, including that he is subject to home detention with electronic monitoring, reports to a pretrial services officer, maintains employment and has no weapons. Satawa could not be reached for comment today.
Federal prosecutors say Meeks was a trusted member of Hutaree's inner circle who put together a "hit list of federal judges and other officials to be killed."
The Detroit News reported today that Joshua Stone, the 21-year-old son of the group's leader, began gathering weapons and supporters after his father and other Hutaree members were arrested on March 27. Stone, who was arrested two days later, told a member of another militia "the Hutaree would go to war if the government did not release all Hutaree members within two hours," federal prosecutors said in a court filing Friday, according to the News.
Lee Higgins is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 or email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Me Next
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 10:45 a.m.
Michigan 1908 Preamble: We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to ALMIGHTY GOD for the blessings of Freedom establish this Constitution. I read hearsay, opinions (some extremely slanderous & most from alleged reporters), & still no evidence of actual crime. It's easy to accuse on the grounds of "planned" "attempted" "violent crime" without proving any of it. Orchestrating events to support, unsupported accusations. "hit list" well I received many election "hit lists". We the people are sick & tired of this garbage. Will elderly women be imprisoned for ____ because they are provoked into speaking French? Picking & choosing who to paint as criminal is dangerous to us all. Cherry picking juries is 101 in the Art of Deception that began as Equal Justice for all. Tentative Thanks to Judge Robert for her duty to assure Rule of Law & allow these citizens to face their accusers. Obviously the undercover FBI Agent, doing his assigned job, was not endangered, was present & could have prevented a violent crime if there was real intent of the heart. I just have what I've read. Today I read an accusation of "possessing a firearm during a crime of violence" but read no "crime of violence". So is this also subjective opinion? Misuse of Our Federal Agents & Abuse of Federal Power - granted not innate. "We say so" does not provide for an interruption of Our Life, Liberty, & pursuit of Happiness. Thus far, no complaint of anyone being put into danger by any of these citizens, no thefts, no harassing/kidnapping/unlawful containment/fear for lives. I don't know but I suspect the "target cop" was believed to be for sure someone that would Join The Coming Anti-Christ Army that would MAKE War against Civil Society. Words, Marketing, Preparation for Defense. Informed, Fair, & Honest Citizens is the key to USA Jury. These are real people with common yet Individual lawful rights that are being deprived of their life, wages, & for as I see from media & "let's get em crowd" their names. This is not the 4th Estate, it's not American Justice. Gov. impoverishes citizens & just get to walk away or send the lawsuit bill to the taxpayers. That MUST change. These citizens are held accountable for someones presented illusion, we are accountable for everything we endeavor, & Trust Position Occupiers just look for the next photo op. I don't know Meeks but I am outraged at the treatment & total disregard for the man's right to the freedom he fought for. I could speak French, I probably did after I read he had cited military service. Thank you for just reporting.
William Bachman
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 7:25 p.m.
oops...the last part should have read 'It does make one wonder'
William Bachman
Mon, Apr 19, 2010 : 7:23 p.m.
Ummm...What ever happened to due process?To actionjackson"Do the crime...Do the time"..really?..you've convicted them before viewing or hearing the evidence...I hope your never called for jury duty... swcornell-"Lock him up an throw away the key"..see the above.Should I be more affraid of people like actionjackson and swcornell who don't believe in due process,or clowns like these milita members? I does make one wonder.
swcornell
Sun, Apr 11, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.
Lock him up and throw away the key. I kind of wonder what Christian religion/church claims these criminals?
Ricebrnr
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 3:55 p.m.
wholeheartedly agree, but as of now, there is only a one sided accusation. No one has been convicted of anything to be doing time for yet.
actionjackson
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.
Do the crime......do the time!
krc
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 7:38 a.m.
No, don't.
Lokalisierung
Fri, Apr 9, 2010 : 4:44 p.m.
Let him out already.