A federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on March 29 returned a five-count indictment against nine suspected members of the "Hutaree [2]" militia group accused of plotting to kill police officers. The group members allegedly planned to kill Michigan law enforcement officers by, among other methods, making phony 911 calls and ambushing those who responded. The members then planned to attack the funeral processions of the fallen officers.
The charges against the nine include seditious conspiracy, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, teaching the use of explosive materials, and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. The FBI announced that eight of the nine are in custody, and the ninth is currently at large. Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena said, "The FBI takes such extremist groups seriously, especially those who would target innocent citizens and the law enforcement officers who protect the citizens of the United States." One of the counts, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, carries a possible sentence of life in prison.
From Jurist [3], March 29. Used with permission.
See our last post on the worldwide radical right resurgence [4].
