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FBI agent testifies in Hutaree trial about findings by paid confidential informant
DETROIT, Feb 14, 2012 (The Blade - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
The special agent for the FBI who supervised the nearly 20-month investigation of the Hutaree militia was the first witness to testify Tuesday in the trial of seven members who are accused of conspiring to overthrow the government.
Agent Leslie Larsen said the FBI began looking into activities of the southern Michigan-based group because of videos posted on the Hutaree Web site that showed people wearing camouflage and using weapons in what appeared to be military type training and tactics.
In response to questions from Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheldon Light, the agent testified that a paid confidential informant who had been previously used by the FBI to collect information about militia groups in Michigan was sent to meet with David Stone and his son, Joshua, at an Ann Arbor restaurant in August, 2008, beginning a 17-month relationship with the group.
The FBI agent said the informant, Dan Murray, attended meetings and training exercises over a 17-month period at the home of defendants David Stone and his wife, Tina, and at locations in Hillsdale and Washtenaw counties. He was wired with a device at times to record conversations with members.
The agent's testimony was given in the trial of the Stones; Mr. Stone's sons, Joshua of Clayton, Mich. and David Stone, Jr. of Adrian; Michael Meeks of Manchester, Mich.; Thomas Piatek of Whiting, Ind.; and Kristopher Sickles of Sandusky. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit sedition, or rebellion, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, and firearms offenses.
An undercover agent later infiltrated into Hutaree activities and many of the conversations he had with members were also recorded, Agent Larsen said.
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