FBI Targets Christian Militia Group in Midwestern Raids

A Christian militia group was the focus of an FBI raid over the weekend, part of a series of actions by the bureau across Illinois, Ohio and Michigan, the Associated Press reports. Three people were arrested under a veil of secrecy, but one FBI source said they face gun charges and are due in court Monday. The source added that the FBI is now pursuing additional suspects.

The names of the arrested and the groups to which they belong have not been released, and it remains unclear what prompted the action. Michael Lackomar, a spokesman for the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia, said leaders of his group received frantic phone calls from a member of Hutaree, a Christian militia group, saying their property in southern Michigan was being raided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Hutaree member was looking for a place to hide, but Lackomar said his group denied the request.

Hutaree's Web site describes it as an armed group "preparing for the end time battles to keep the testimony of Jesus Christ alive." The site does not describe any political positions or agenda, and the group's doctrinal statement is comprised mostly of apocalyptic passages from the New Testament.