There don’t seem to be many details at this point, but WXYZ is reporting that a number of coordinated raids took place last night in the area. Here’s a clip:
The FBI was conducting raids Saturday night at multiple locations in southeast Michigan.
Action News has learned Homeland Security and the Joint Anti-terrorism Task Force is also involved in a major operation.
Federal officials would not say who they were targeting or where, but the FBI has set up a command center at the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department in Ann Arbor, where they have brought in two satellite trucks and a radio tower.
Agents have also obtained search warrants and multiple arrests have been made.
If you have additional information, please leave a comment.
update: Judging from the racist comments on the WXYZ site, most folks seem to think that Muslim extremists are somehow involved. The evidence, however, appears to point toward the Michigan Militia. Here’s a clip from AnnArbor.com:
…The FBI conducted raids Saturday night in the Washtenaw and Lenawee county area in an investigation tied to Hutaree, a Christian-oriented militia group based in Lenawee County, AnnArbor.com has learned…
Michigan militia members say five people were arrested – including one known member of Hutaree. They said the raid occurred at a meeting of Hutaree members in the Ann Arbor area…
58 Comments
It looks like the WXYZ people have, since I checked last, deleted the “Good, I hope the FBI kill a few more of them sand niggers” comments.
As for their target being the Michigan Militia, I’ll withhold judgment for the time being.
http://www.michiganmilitia.com/ says the Southeast Michigan Militia hasn’t been raided. Apparently, these Hutaree guys are a separate group, that’s more religious-oriented.
No one has said anything about the Michigan Militia at all from my reading. Norm Olsen lives in Alaska now. The only mention is of a Michigan militia (accent on the small “m”). Michigan has had small militia’s all over the state for many years (the farthest back that I can remember is the early 70’s). This is probably one of those splintered hold overs from the big push in the 80’s early 90’s.
I definitely want to know more about this Hutaree group.
um… This is interesting:
http://www.hutaree.com/
All I know is I am going to belch out a loud guffaw if any connection is made to those good god fearing militia members that were involved in the recent Bridgewater Township people searches get implicated in some small fashion…. But in a nod to the “Brackster” I’ll wait for hard video proof or something first– Before I jump to my gut- feeling conclusions!
The caption accompanying the AA.com story photo reads as follows.
So, I don’t know that I’m buying this wall of separation that Brack is attempting to build between Hutaree and the Michigan Militia. They seem to be mingling pretty well in the photo.
And what’s up with this missing man in Bridgewater? I don’t like to speculate, but that seems like it could be the precipitating event that set everything in motion.
After a hard day at work, I like to unwind with the Hutaree “Evil Jew” forum. It’s quite good, really.
http://www.hutaree.com/forum/
On their site, they say, “John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Well, I’m not the type to wish ill on any man, but I do hope the lot of them get to experience love today like they’ve never experienced it before.
But, then again, I’m an evil Jew who doesn’t believe in their “Colonial Christian Republic”.
Seven people have been arrested for allegedly selling pipe bombs in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, Fox News has learned.
The arrests and raids in Michigan and Indianapolis are related to alleged militia activity in the region, but are not related to international terrorism. There is not a current threat to the public, according to a law enforcement source.
I would need to see video of them selling the pipe bombs. Otherwise, it didn’t happen.
Sorry, it was a missing woman in Bridgewater. She was found dead in a field of hypothermia.
According to the AA.com story, the militia offered to help in the search for her earlier in the week. It may just be a coincidence, but my guess is that authorities might have learned something about the group during that search.
http://www.annarbor.com/news/bridgewater-township-turns-to-militia-for-help/
I’m Black Jake, btw.
I’m pretty sure Hutaree members have trained at “camp stasa” as I seem to remember pictures of them being there on the Michigan Militia website. I’ve no doubt that they mingle with other militia groups/people. But there are distinct little groups that train there because it’s open to anybody, and there are a lot of militia-type groups that aren’t in the Michigan Militia proper, such as the Hutaree. I don’t know what the scoop is with them, because as far as I know, they weren’t training there the days I was, except that they’re more of a militant religious-type thing than a regular militia group.
Sorry, Jake. You looked like someone else.
Happens a lot.
Where in the Constitution does it say that I can’t sell sell pipe bombs? This is just the first step, my friends. Next they’ll come for our Anthrax stockpiles. And then, before you know it, it will be our anti-aircraft missiles. I’m telling you, martial law is coming.
http://annarbor.craigslist.org/vnn/1665308051.html
I got here as quick as I could.
Here’s an interesting new twist:
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.
Is Mark from Michigan still in prison?
Wikipedia says Mark Koernke has been out for several years–and that he is still broadcasting (Alex Jones interviewed him in 2007–I’ll have to find that one).
Aw man, you gotta be a “registered user” to read the “Evil Jew” forum. But on the main “phorum” (sic), you can read about how it’s an Evil Jew plot to take over a Christian group….ah, there it is!
I think I’ll change my user name to AnotherEvilJewPatti for AEJP for short.
The FREEP has an article too.
http://www.freep.com/article/20100328/NEWS06/100328017/1001/NEWS/Feds-confirm-activities-in-southeastern-Michigan
I was driving west on Mich Ave between Saline and Clinton around 6:00 and saw 4-5 state trooper vehicles heading east. My BF and I wondered what in the world was going on and turned on WWJ and learned that some of the raids happened in Lenawee County in Clayton. I’m assuming the state troopers were coming from there.
(Just to clarify, this was 6:00 Sunday evening.)
Two interesting comments on that Ann Arbor News site.
One.
Two.
God, I wish these christian fucks wore turbans.
I think that the one thing this raid shows us is that these militia groups are basically a bunch of pansies. A common claim is that they’re there to “protect” us from “the government”, but we have just seen that throw their hands up as soon as they see a blue car.
From CNN:
The Feds plan to unseal the charges this morning against seven people arrested in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, who will be brought before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald Scheer today.
The Associate Press is saying that it was a plot to kill police officers.
They must have unsealed those charges. AnnArbor.com just posted the following.
http://www.annarbor.com/news/9-hutaree-members-face-federal-charges-of-conspiracy-attempting-to-use-weapons-of-mass-destruction/
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.
This photo from the Hutaree website shows members training. The training is held in secret locations and is closed to the public.
The federal indictment charges that the leader of Hutaree, David Brian Stone (known as RD), was plotting the death of an unidentified 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.
As of this morning, eight of the nine people charged are in custody, while Joshua Stone is considered a fugitive. Seven of them were set to appear for a 10 a.m. detention hearing in Detroit federal court…
I wonder what the weapons of mass destruction were, and if they got them from Saddam.
Sounds like just a bunch of inbred assholes.
I grew up in that general area those Michigan “patriots” are from…. I’m sad to say “inbred assholes” is quite appropriate.
My favorite part of the Bible is the part where Jesus tells people to wait outside of cop funerals with pipe bombs.
Apparently they had a house band:
http://www.pokerface.com/
It’ll be interesting to see what comes of this. I believe one of the stories I was reading last night mentioned that the Hutaree folks had been at a meeting of other likeminded militia groups in February. One wonders if this might be extended to other groups… Or should I call them cells?
My favorite quote from all of this is that one above that was cut and pasted by Stephanie Schultz, about how the “Evil Jew Forum” was actually quite the opposite. I believe the person who wrote it originally said that it was “ironic.” That had me laughing my ass off… Maybe when they said “kill cops” that was ironic too. Maybe they meant “seduce and make love to officers”… I guess we’ll have to wait until the trial to find out.
Two quotes from AP:
“…members of the group in the Midwest had planned multiple attacks on police officers or other law enforcement personnel as a way of acting out their hatred for the government.”
and
“Seven of the defendants in court in Michigan asked to be represented by public defenders. The eighth had a public defender appointed in Indiana.”
My favorite, from the wife of one of the arrested:
“It was just survival skills,” she said. “That’s what they were learning. And it’s just patriotism. It’s in our Constitution.”
God Brackinald. Is that all you have to say? A snarky comment about the term “weapons of mass destruction”? Is there really nothing you find detestable about this group and their intentions? Who are you surreptitiously defending? If I believed the polarization of comments on this blog represented reality, I would feel way, way ill.
Lacy, one of my roles here at Mark Maynard dot com is to offer a different point of view, or to point out things that no one else is pointing out, so this place doesn’t get too incestuous and full of ideological flipper babies.
If I remain silent on an issue, it doesn’t mean I am in support of or against something, it just means I don’t feel at the time that it’s necessary for me to add to it. Or, as very occasionally happens, I just didn’t feel like getting involved in the blog at the time due to other things in my life.
Killing cops is wrong, these guys seem like real kooks. There. I just said some pretty obvious shit that didn’t need me to say it because everybody already feels the same way. Happy?
Now, to the less obvious but still interesting point that no one else is making — how the hell did pipe bombs become weapons of mass destruction? That’s crazy. I knew high school kids who put [weapons of mass destruction] in people’s mailboxes. And if those are weapons of mass destruction, then Saddam most certainly had weapons of mass destruction, and the Iraq war was justified. I mean, seriously, doesn’t anyone else find that freakin’ crazy??? Pipe bombs are wmd’s??? That’s crazy!
If even one person agrees with me that it’s stupid to consider pipe bombs to be wmd’s, I’ll drop it and move on.
i agree it’s stupid.
You’ll get no argument from me, based upon what we know right now, that the “WMD” claim was excessive. But that’s not the point.
I agree that pipe bombs are not WMD’s. These are your people, BA! Show some love?
I own property within a mile of these idiots.
Unless the pipe bombs were intended to disperse weaponized anthrax spores or some such, I agree that it’s stupid.
It’s likely a legal distinction and nothing more. I don’t think there is much to be made out of the terminology. It stands that they intended to commit mass murder. Whether they would have been successful or not, is up to speculation. Given the wedding pictures, I would say, not likely.
Okay, phew. I’m glad other people can see that that’s stupid. Probably some Patriot Act bullshit.
MY people? You’re their neighbors, Peter.
If they’re guilty of doing what they’re accused of planning, and it wasn’t some kind of entrapment thing, then they got what they deserved. But even if they didn’t do it, in the morning, we’ll be sober (I assume), but they’ll still be crazy.
I hate it when people change their speaking style when they start talking about religious stuff, like they do on their webpage. The worst is when the King James stuff starts coming out. I hate that.
Secondly, the antichrist is supposed to win against everybody but Jesus, and I suspect Jesus doesn’t need these fella’s help shooting at stuff.
“…one of my roles here at Mark Maynard dot com…”
Thanks, Narcissus. And here I thought you were just a general asshole who likes to say stupid shit on someone else’s blog because you have no friends.
Brackie,
Thanks for expanding. I understand you see your role as a counterbalance, but to this reader, when I only hear one thing from you (and many others commenters) it makes me think you’re one-dimensional and polarizing – no offense. It’s refreshing to read the above comments and see that folks are willing to at least give an inch.
FWIW, I’m willing to give way more than an inch, Lacy.
I think they chose these folks, because they are the most bruised apples in the barrel. did you see the wedding photos? That kid pointing the rifle at the camera? This is a distraction. I bet they find some more “terrorists with WMD’s” in other states such as Florida, Nebraska, and other states where Governors & Atty. Generals are looking to challenge Obama & Congress. It’s all a big farce, to whip people up into a frezy, and try to slide Americans closer to the middle.
I can’t wait to see their “proof”…
I thought that was your role Curt – just a general asshole who likes to say stupid shit on someone else’s blog.
Yeah, I’m glad we cleared that up, Curt.
What’s disconcerting to me is that some are so dominated by their desire to only engage in intercourse with their close kin, that they viciously attack, enraged when some outsider shines a light on the activity.
Ideologically speaking.
Wow, the two of you put together can’t come up with an original thought. And you wonder why people think you’re a couple of numb nuts.
Sorry folks, I’m so tired of talking about the same shit over and over again with the likes of these idiots. In case none of you have noticed, it’s become so bad that folks pre-comment about what BA or EOS will say with each post. Am I the only one who finds that depressing?
I figure that it’s worthwhile if engaging them here keeps them from building bombs and running around like army men. At least that’s how I justify my time here. I’m fighting terrorism.
And in case anybody still gives a shit about facts, “weapons of mass destruction” was defined legally in 1994 in response to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing:
http://www.slate.com/id/2249407/
Curt, I am genuinely thankful to you for posting that link. Very informative and, as you say, factual.
Here are some videos about the Michigan Militia in relation to the Hutaree, featuring actual members of the Michigan Militia:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/30/michigan.militia.arrests/?hpt=Sbin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CylKS5GJfzA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk3RCmPxggM
http://mag.ma/cnn/477567
What’s a really interesting subtext that’s happening because of this whole thing that you don’t pick up much on the news, is that now there’s kind of a debate or split amongst other militia people about whether the Michigan Militia are traitors to other “Patriots” or whether they did the right thing. Some people are even pissed that one of the Michigan Militia group coordinators is a Muslim. So now there are people who really hate the Michigan Militia because of this and seem to be putting out threat-vibes about it. But you get other militia people who are in total agreement.
Basically the Michigan Militia is more of an open, up and up type militia, whereas some other groups are very closed and secretive, and it causes some conflict and distrust. So, in the militia movement, the Michigan Militia is kind of a controversy. Just thought I’d share that little bit of “investigative reporting” to the Mark Maynard dot com community if anyone might find it interesting.
I’ll say this too, though: the Hutaree guys, while obviously nutty if you look at their website, are innocent of the charges until proven guilty.
Thank you, Jake. This is interesting stuff.
From a CNN article about their bail hearing.
The rest of the article:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/27/michigan.militia.court/?hpt=T2
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