On March 29, 2010 it was reported that the Christian militia group, Hutaree, had nine of its members indicted. The charge that these individuals now face is conspiracy to wage war against the U.S. Government.http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62S40Q20100329 News of these indictments came after a grand jury indictment order had been officially unsealed in Michigan—specifically in Michigan's U.S. District Court (located in the state's eastern district).
Seven of these nine individuals have already been arraigned in court. The prosecutor at the arraignment requested that the U.S. Magistrate hearing the case consider holding the defendants without bail. This request was heard and is something that the U.S. Magistrate is reportedly considering at the present time.
Details About The Individuals Involved
The grand jury's indictment indicates that the group of people involved consist of exactly eight men and one woman. All of them were members of Hutaree—an alleged "christian militia" group.http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62S40Q20100329 The nine individuals had planned, it is reported, to kill a police officer in Michigan. They also wanted to ambush law officers who happened to attend the funeral of that police officer.http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62S40Q20100329
The planned events are described in the indictment as being "[attacks that would] serve as a catalyst for a more widespread uprising".http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62S40Q20100329 Of the nine members, eight members who were named in the indictment were arrested by the FBI between March 27–28. These raids and arrests were conducted within the states of Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. The remaining member—Joshua Stone—is said to remain at large. Stone is 21 years old at this time.
The "Hutaree" Christian Militia
The militia's website—located at hutaree.com—defines the group name Hutaree as meaning: "Christian Warrior".http://hutaree.com/ The group characterizes itself as one that is "preparing for the end time battles to keep the testimony of Jesus Christ alive." Also on their website is a biblical quote, from John 15:13 which reads, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62S40Q20100329
The leader of the group according to the unsealed grand jury indictment order is David Brian Stone, Sr. David Stone is a resident of Clayton, Michigan and is currently 45 years old. He was included in the eight member who were already arrested.
Picture of Thomas Piatek
Pictures of the Eight Suspects
These mugshots of the eight suspects were taken at the time of their arrests. The images were provided to the public media by the U.S. Marshals Service.
