On Monday, federal prosecutors plan to unseal charges against members of a self-described Christian militia arrested Saturday and Sunday in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
At least seven people were taken into custody in raids by an FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force as part of an investigation into an Adrian, Mich.-based unit of the Hutaree, a group that professes it is training in modern armed combat techniques for a prophesized coming battle with the Antichrist.
Federal authorities declined to discuss the charges behind the multi-state arrests but said that the suspects are expected to make an initial appearance in US District Court in Detroit on Monday.
One of the group’s purported leaders wrote on its Web site, “Jesus wanted us to be ready to defend ourselves using the sword and stay alive…. We, the Hutaree, are prepared to defend all those who belong to Christ and save those who aren’t. We will still spread the word, and fight to keep it, up to the time of the great coming.”
