Hutaree posed imminent threat to police, U.S. attorney Barbara McQuade says
DETROIT — Federal authorities had been monitoring members of the Michigan-based Christian militia Hutaree for some time but were forced to "take them down" over the weekend after learning of an imminent threat against police, the U.S. attorney leading the prosecution said Tuesday.
Barbara McQuade's comments came three days after eight members of a small group of "Christian warriors" were arrested in several Midwestern states and a day after the FBI nabbed a ninth suspect, Joshua Stone, following a standoff at a trailer in rural Michigan.
Barbara McQuade speaks to the Associated Press in Detroit, Tuesday,
AP photo
Across the street in Detroit federal court, Stone was arraigned Tuesday and was ordered held without bond until a hearing Wednesday.
McQuade said the "most troubling" finding of the investigation was that Hutaree members plotted to make a false 911 call, kill responding officers and then use a bomb to kill many more at the funeral.
The nine suspects face seditious conspiracy charges after weekend raids in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Eight appeared in court Monday.
It was not immediately clear whether any of the suspects had lawyers.
FBI agents moved quickly against Hutaree because its members were planning an attack sometime in April, McQuade said. Members had been undergoing paramilitary training, including learning how to shoot guns and make bombs, since 2008, according to an indictment. Authorities seized guns in the raids but would not say whether they found explosives.
A handful of the group's members were arrested without incident during a Hutaree meeting Saturday night in Ann Arbor, Mich., Barbara McQuade said. She said authorities chose that time and place because they knew it would lessen the chance that other people would be around.
Hutaree says on its website its name means "Christian warrior." The group quotes several Bible passages and declares: "We believe that one day, as prophecy says, there will be an Anti-Christ. ... Jesus wanted us to be ready to defend ourselves using the sword and stay alive using equipment."
The Web site does not list specific grievances against law enforcement and the government.
The site features a picture of 17 men in camouflage, all holding large guns, and includes videos of armed men running through the woods. Each wears a shoulder patch that bears a cross and two red spears.
Comments
Pete Bigelow
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.
A comment has been taken down on this thread because it contained an attack.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 11:28 a.m.
"The christian involvement on which side? North or South?" Which do you think I ment? Owning another person is not a christian value, never has never will be. I suggest learning about christians before you try and demonize them. If I say I'm an artist it doesn't make it so.
Dave
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 10:01 a.m.
Really?? Religion is the cause of this and the majority of killings is like saying the Detroit Lions are the reason for every team that losses in the NFL. Sheesh grab some perspective! Feel free to disqualify all the good things this thing you call "religion" has done. Just because a few nut jobs decide to do something stupid in the name of a (small g) god does not mean all religion is bad. Glad you finally found a reason to be an Atheist.
stonecutter1
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 9:37 a.m.
The christian involvement on which side? North or South?
cinnabar7071
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 4:50 a.m.
stonecutter1 do you believe the christian involvement in the civil war a good or bad thing? And what side would you have taken?
Hot Sam
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 1:47 a.m.
The fact is that the largest loss of lives historically were caused by those without religion. Mao, Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, etc.
stonecutter1
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 11:35 p.m.
Hey hot sam, christianity is the most incoherent argument ever proposed! Why are these "blatherings" that question this fallacy wrong or unwarranted? Fact: Religion has caused more death,suffering, and war than anything known to mankind. Yet, because people are brainwashed as children, it is acceptable? Propose religion to kids when they are 18. They will pay it no more credence than Harry Potter! Then we, as a society, can think rationally!
LGChelsea
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 9:47 p.m.
And irony of ironies, in this land of the free, with justice for all, these government and law despisers will ask for and receive a lawyer provided free from the government they so hate.
tdw
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 9:01 p.m.
@sam if they had illegal firearms I'll garuntee(bad spellining)that the NRA would want to throw the book at them
Sam
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 8:46 p.m.
Was their possession of all those arms legal? Just wondering.
Hot Sam
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 8:33 p.m.
The incoherent anti Christian blathering of some posters is both wrong and unwarranted...and I agree TDW what does Wayne LaPierre have to do with any of this???
cinnabar7071
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 7:42 p.m.
David Briegel no double standard. These people if convicted should pay the ultimate price. And I'm confident enough in the court system that they will never breathe another free breath, no bail. Whats the deal with all the hate on Christians, you realize the legal system is bases around the 10 commandments, just saying.
tdw
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 7:17 p.m.
What on earth does Wayne LaPiere have to with this? Why has'nt anyone asked about Cabela's?
David Briegel
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 6:26 p.m.
Onward Christian Soldiers Killing Cops for God, With the Cross of Jesus. blah, blah, blah blah........ Think how great our nation could be if these nuts had been successful?? If a citizen said they believed in the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus you would NEVER vote for them. If that same citizen doesn't believe in virgin births and resurrections You won't vote for them. What does that say about America??? You??? And why has nobody asked about Wayne LaPiere? cinnabar, they are wmd's, why the double standard?
stonecutter1
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 5:43 p.m.
Yet another fine example of religion at work! Save me from the "anti-christ" Jebus!
cinnabar7071
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 4:36 p.m.
"Authorities seized guns in the raids but would not say whether they found explosives." Why not? Just wondering.