ANOTHER UPDATE - Seven arrested in FBI raids linked to Christian militia group

[Hazcat]

Jennifer Chambers / The Detroit News

At least seven people, including some from Michigan, have been arrested in raids by a FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana as part of an investigation into an Adrian-based Christian militia group, a person familiar with the matter said.

The suspects are expected to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Detroit on Monday.

On Sunday, a source close to the investigation in Washington, D.C. confirmed that FBI agents were conducting activities in Washtenaw and Lenawee counties over the weekend in connection to Hutaree, a Christian militia group. Detroit FBI Special Agent Sandra Berchtold told The Detroit News the federal warrants in the case are under court seal and declined further comment.

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Sources have said the FBI was in the second day of raids around the southeastern Michigan city of Adrian that are connected to a militia group, known as the Hutaree, an Adrian-based group whose members describe themselves as Christian soldiers preparing for the arrival and battle with the anti-Christ.

WXYZ-TV reports that helicopters were spotted in the sky for much of Saturday night, and agents set up checkpoints throughout the area. Witnesses told the station that it was like a small army had descended on the area. The Department of Homeland Security and the Joint Terrorism Task Force are also involved in the raids.

Mike Lackomar, of Michiganmilitia.com, said both The Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia and the Michiganmilitia.com were not a part of the raid.

Lackomar said he heard from other militia members that the FBI targeted the Hutaree after its members made threats of violence against Islamic organizations.

"Last night and into today the FBI conducted a raid against homes belonging to the Hutaree. They are a religious cult. They are not part of our militia community," he said.

Lackomar said he was told there were five arrests Saturday and another five early Sunday. The FBI declined to comment.

One of the Hutaree members called a Michigan militia leader for assistance Saturday after federal agents had already began their raid, Lackomar said, but the militia member -- who is of Islamic decent and had heard about the threats -- declined to offer help. That Michigan militia leader is now working with federal officials to provide information on the Hutaree member for the investigation, Lackomar said Sunday.

"They are more of survivalist group and in an emergency they withdraw and stand their ground. They are actively training to be alongside Jesus," he said.

Sources from the Michigan militia community said one of the FBI raids took place Saturday during a wake for a Hutaree member who had died of natural causes. A Hutaree leader was arrested during the wake while at the same time agents were conducting raids at other locations.

The Associated Press is reporting that FBI spokesman Scott Wilson in Cleveland said agents arrested two people Saturday in northwest Ohio. A third arrest was made in Illinois on Sunday, a day after raids in northwest Indiana.

Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on Islamic-American Relations of Michigan, made an announcement Sunday during the group's 10th anniversary banquet about receiving a call from a network journalist about the alleged threat against Muslims.

"Don't allow this news to scare you away from practicing your faith," said Walid.

Audible gaps were heard throughout the banquet hall when the news was announced. Walid said he will call local authorities about more information on the allegations. He urged local Muslims to recommitt themselves to their faith in light of the accusations.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100328/METRO/3280313/Seven-arrested-in-FBI-raids-linked-to-Christian-militia-group=#ixzz0jZbvtK8t



More stories...

Official: Gun charges after FBI raids in Midwest
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100328/ap_on_re_us/us_fbi_raids

Massive Federal Raid in Lenawee County
http://www.wxyz.com/news/story/Massive-Federal-Raid-in-Lenawee-County/eE6ZljBWa0uFOMUdtOLzvw.cspx

Fed raids in Michigan may be tied to Hutaree, a Christian-militia group
http://freep.com/article/20100328/NEWS06/100328017/1319/Feds-confirm-activities-in-southeastern-Michigan

Christian Militia Raid: Were the Hutaree Targeted for Threats Against Muslims?
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TheLaw/christian-militia-targeted-anti-muslim-views/story?id=10228716

UPDATE

Indictment: Militia members sought to 'levy war' against U.S.
http://detroitnews.com/article/20100329/METRO/3290381/Indictment--Militia-members-sought-to--levy-war--against-U.S.#ixzz0jaQXlfCd

9 Militia Members Charged In Police-Killing Plot
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/militia.group.hutaree.2.1597138.html

[2HOW]

I left a comment for those dumb asses at homeland security. "anti muslim hysteria " what a crock. if these Christians were muslims they would be protected but they get arrested with no charges , everything sealed from the public. Typical BS . Governments and countries are afraid to even speak about Islam but lets persecute the Christians.

[JC5123]

Why do you think we have done nothing about the genocide in Sudan? It's because it's the christians being slaughtered adt the hands of the muslims. If it were the other way around, we would have the entire UN security council sending in troops.

And besides, these guys aren't even pushing a political agenda. They want to go fight Satan when he returns to earth at the end of days. Where is the threat there? I guess anyone who believes in religion MUST be a right wing extremist, tea bagging, threat to civilized society.

[Hazcat]

FBI agent short on details on militia inquiry
Article published April 28, 2010

DETROIT - An FBI agent who led the investigation of nine Michigan militia members charged with trying to launch war against the federal government couldn't recall many details of the two-year probe yesterday during questioning by defense lawyers.

Even the judge who must decide whether to release the nine until trial was puzzled.

"I share the frustrations of the defense team … that she doesn't know anything," U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts said after agent Leslie Larsen confessed she hadn't reviewed her notes recently and couldn't remember specific details of the case.

Judge Roberts is hearing an appeal of another judge's order that has kept members of so-called Hutaree militia in jail since their arrest in late March.

The indictment says the nine planned to kill police officers as a steppingstone to a widespread uprising against the federal government.

Defense lawyers, however, say their clients are being punished for being outspoken.

Prosecutors fought to keep Ms. Larsen off the witness stand, saying the defendants had no legal right to question her.

But the judge said the agent's appearance was appropriate because the burden is on defense lawyers to show their clients won't be a threat to the public if released.

The nine lawyers asked specific questions about each defendant. Ms. Larsen said she had not listened entirely to certain recordings made by an undercover agent who infiltrated the group.

She said that because they were still being examined, she didn't know if weapons seized by investigators last month were illegal.

At other times, Ms. Larsen couldn't answer questions because she said she hadn't reviewed investigative reports.

Defense lawyer William Swor asked if the No. 1 defendant, Hutaree leader David Stone, had ever instructed anyone to make a bomb.

"I can't fully answer that question," the agent replied.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tukel defended Ms. Larsen, telling the judge it wasn't clear until Monday that she would testify.

Judge Roberts, however, said she told the government to be prepared last week.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald Waterstreet played an audiotape of what he said were several militia members talking freely about killing police.

The participants talked over each other, often laughed and made goofy noises and disparaging remarks about law enforcement.

Prosecutors objected to questions about interpreting the secretly recorded conversations, but the judge said they were fair game.

The judge will resume the court hearing today.

Prosecutors will have a chance to question people who are willing to be responsible for some of the nine if they are released from jail.

http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20100428/NEWS02/4280343/-1/rss

[crusader rabbit]

Ah am sooo proud of my gubmint. 

[Sponsor]

[Solus]

We seem to be a little short on evidence, Your Honor, but you only need to watch the evening news to know what kind of violence these Tea Bagger types are capable of.

[tombogan03884]

Another Government murder spree like Waco ?

[twyacht]

Michael Savage's radio show mentioned the Judge, a Clinton appointee, who acted like a Judge.

The defense mentioned the tenor of Conservative Radio, and those that are on the air wanting to "Take Our Country Back".....

and unless they have actions the militia actually did, versus words,....please prove it is enough to not warrant bond.