9 members of a Midwest Christian militia led by ringleader David Brian Stone are in jail now for plotting to overthrow the U.S. government and detonate WMDs at a police funeral.
The ringleader Stone was fond of making speeches and believed he could encourage others to join in a civil war against the government.
“We are the American military. We outnumber them,” a speaker identified as Stone says on an audio tape recorded by an undercover FBI agent. “People should not be afraid of the government. The government should fear the people.”
The agent infiltrated the Hutaree militia and had built explosives under Stone’s direction, accompanied Stone and others as they tried to attend a Feb. 6 meeting of militias in Kentucky.
“Now it’s time to strike and take our nation back so we will be free of tyranny,” Stone, 44, of Clayton, Mich., says on the recording played in court. “The war will come whether we are ready or not.”
Stone and eight other Hutaree members, self-proclaimed “Christian Warriors” who trained themselves in paramilitary techniques in preparation for a battle against the U.S. government, are charged with seditious conspiracy, plotting to levy war against the U.S. They were arrested after a series of weekend raids across the Midwest.
The group planned to make a false 911 call, kill responding police officers, then set off a bomb at the funeral to kill many more. After the attacks the group planned to retreat to “rally points” protected by trip-wired explosives for a violent standoff with law enforcement personnel.
Federal officials began monitoring the militia last summer and discovered an attack was planned for April. The Hutaree was planning training that month where they would kill people that “came upon them.” Court documents said the undercover agent and a cooperating witness were part of the federal probe.
Eight suspects were arraigned Wednesday in Detroit. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald A. Scheer entered not guilty pleas on behalf of seven who stood mute to the charges, including David Brian Stone. Stone’s eldest son, 21-year-old Joshua Matthew Stone, pleaded not guilty.
“It’s not about a religious group,” says prosecutor Waterstreet. “It’s not about the militia. It’s about a group who decided to oppose by force the U.S. by using violence and weapons.”
Stone sought to “own his own country” and send police retreating to the cities. Waterstreet said Stone “indicated the wives and children of the brotherhood (police) were equal targets.”
In the hierarchy of Hutaree David Brian Stone led the militia and Joshua Matthew Stone was a squad leader. David Brian Stone Jr., the elder Stone’s 19-year-old son, was in charge of detonations and explosives.
Kristopher Sickles, 27, of Sandusky, Ohio described himself as leading the militia in that state. Sickles bragged that he killed his cat to see if he could shoot something he had feelings for.
Others charged in the case had responsibilities including communications and recruitment. Michael David Meeks, 40, and Thomas W. Piatek, 46, of Whiting, Indiana. were “heavy gunners” in charge of “laying down heavy fire” in encounters with the enemy.
Defense lawyers are arguing there's nothing wrong with having an opinion about the United States federal government.
If these men were Muslim militants there wouldn't even be a question about their guilt. Being a Christian doesn't excuse a person from acts of terrorism. Terrorism is terrorism, regardless of what religion you believe in.
Friday, April 2, 2010
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