Hutaree Members Plead Not Guilty

Eight members of Hutaree, a Christian militia is accused of planning to kill police officers and trigger violence against the U.S. government, entered not guilty pleas in a Michigan court Wednesday. Charged with seditious conspiracy, the eight had trained in paramilitary techniques to prepare for a battle against the Antichrist. Prosecutors accused the group of planning to make a false 911 call, murder the responding officers, and then set off a bomb at their funeral. "It's not about a religious group," Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald Waterstreet said. "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." David Brian Stone Sr. of Hutatree was the alleged leader, and Joshua Matthew Stone served as a squad leader. David Brian Stone Jr. was in charge of explosive devices. The network's hierarchy had also established communications and recruitment roles for its members.