Hutaree member pleads guilty to weapons charge

Blissfield Township man part of anti-government militia organization

DETROIT – United States Attorney Barbara McQuade announced Monday that a member of an anti-government militia organization has pleaded guilty to a weapons charge.

Joshua Clough, 29, of Blissfield Township, pleaded guilty to using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Recommended Videos



Clough is the first of nine persons to plead guilty in a case against the Hutaree, which U.S. authorities call an anti-government militia organization which advocated and prepared for violence against local, state and federal law enforcement.

Clough agreed that Hutaree's goals included assembling explosive bombs against governments and law enforcement officers and vehicles. He also said the Hutaree conducted military-style training in Michigan's Lenawee County. He said he participated in Hutaree training on Feb. 20, 2010 that was for a covert reconnaissance exercise scheduled for April 2010.

Clough used and carried a firearm during the training.

Based on his guilty plea, Clough now faces a mandatory five years in federal prison.