U.S. federal prosecutors say nine members of a Christian militia have been charged with plotting to kill a police officer and then bomb a funeral to kill more law enforcement personnel.
The announcement Monday follows the arrest of eight of the nine people in raids in the U.S. states of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Authorities are searching for the ninth suspect.
Court documents unsealed Monday say the charges against the nine include seditious conspiracy and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.
The indictment says the group was anti-government and wanted to wage war against the United States.
U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade says the group, known as Hutaree, planned the attack for April. She says action was taken since the public and law enforcement were at risk.
The head of the FBI's office in Detroit says the case is an example of radical and extremist fringe groups that can be found throughout society. He says the FBI takes such extremist groups seriously, especially those who target innocent citizens and law enforcement officers.
Those charged include the group's alleged ringleader, David Brian Stone, and his wife and two sons.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
