Nine members of Hutaree - described by authorities as an anti-government extremist organization - have been indicted on federal charges of attempting to use weapons of mass destruction.
At least one member of the group lives in Washtenaw County, and the indictment charges that group members trained in Lenawee County as they "conspired to levy war against the United States."
The indictments were released this morning, two days after numerous raids in southeast Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Among those charged are six Michigan residents, two Ohio residents and one Indiana resident.
The federal indictment charges that the leader of Hutaree, David Brian Stone (known as RD), was plotting to kill an unspecified member of law enforcement. It says the plan was to kill an officer and then attack law enforcement vehicles with improvised explosive devices when officers gathered for that officer's funeral.
Charged in the indictment released today 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 face charges of seditious conspiracy; carrying, using and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and attempting to use weapons of mass destruction. Some also face additional charges.
"attempting"?
that's a lot different than 'planning" or 'possessing'.
So, where is the evidence of action in motion?
these groups, I don't believe, plan on "attacking" the United States - but only in protecting themselves if attacked.
they may be misguided, may be fanatics. But it doesn't pass the smell test that they'd plan to take out a couple police officers and then attack a funeral - to what purpose? An annihilation wish on their community?