Militia Indictments Spotlight the Growing Concern of Anti-government Activity

Nine suspects tied to a Midwest Christian militia that was preparing for the Antichrist were charged with conspiring to kill police officers, then attack a funeral using homemade bombs in the hopes of killing more law enforcement personnel, federal prosecutors said Monday. The Michigan-based group, called Hutaree, planned to use the attack on police as a catalyst for a larger uprising against the government, according to newly unsealed court papers. A U.S. Attorney said agents moved on the group because its members were planning a violent mission sometime in April. Members of the group were charged following FBI raids over the weekend on locations in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. The idea of attacking a police funeral was one of numerous scenarios discussed as ways to go after law enforcement officers, the indictment said. Other scenarios included a fake 911 call to lure an officer to his or her death, or an attack on the family of a police officer. Once other officers gathered for a slain officer’s funeral, the group planned to detonate homemade bombs at the funeral, killing more. After such attacks, the group allegedly planned to retreat to “rally points” protected by trip-wired improvised explosive devices for what they expected would become a violent standoff with law enforcement personnel. Eight suspects have been arrested by the FBI, and one more is being sought. The charges against the eight include seditious conspiracy, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, teaching the use of explosives, and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.

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