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They can be called on by the governor to defend the state.
A woman reported missing Saturday was found dead this afternoon in a wooded area behind her Bridgewater Township home, Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies said.
Investigators say they found no obvious signs of foul play. An autopsy has not yet been performed.
Anna-Maria Wheeker, 45, a mother of four, was found roughly a half-mile from her Kies Road home about 3:30 p.m., said Derrick Jackson, the sheriff department's director of community engagement. She was reported missing by her husband.
Wheeker was a wilderness lover and enjoyed spending time in the woods, including camping overnight, police said.
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I would like to thank the Sheriffs Dept., the Clinton, and Manchester Fire Depts. for aid in the search. I would also thank the local friends and nieghbors that responded. Many of these folks representent local Militia units, the Michigan Militia Corps and Hutaree. Please understand we train for this type of opperation several times a year. We have search and rescue dogs, ATV's, as well as well trained horse and riders. This is what we are about Public Service. Though the outcome was bad the working with county and township officials in a positive light was great. I would like to thank Jolea Mull Bridgewater township supervisor for asking us for help.
Updated: Missing Bridgewater Township man found dead
Posted: 12:17 p.m. February 18, 2010
8 Comments. Comment Now
A missing Bridgewater Township man was found dead today in Freedom Township, a Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department news release said.
There are no signs of foul play, but the death remains under investigation, the release said.
Robert Melvin Wise, 56, was last seen at his residence on Bemis Road and is believed to have left sometime Monday, according to the sheriff's department.
Police did not say how Wise was found or the apparent cause of death.
Anyone with information can contact the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office confidential tip line at (734) 973-7711 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK UP.
with video and poll: Bridgewater Township official turns to militia for help; watchdog groups question decision
Bridgewater Township Supervisor Jolea Mull has twice sought help from militia members this year to search for missing township residents.
The move is drawing criticism from militia watchdog groups, who say Mull is legitimizing an extreme right-wing movement that has a history of being associated with criminal activity.
And the partnership comes as the militia movement is exploding across the country, driven by fears of economic collapse and the potential for a crackdown on gun rights under the Obama administration, watchdog groups say.
About 50 militia members from five units live in Washtenaw County, militia leaders say. They are survivalists, who favor larger local government and a smaller federal government. Members are fiercely protective of their free speech and gun rights.
When Mull learned from Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies that a township woman was missing Jan. 13, she contacted local militia leader Jimmy Schiel.
“She said, ‘Hey, we need help to do a ground search for Anna-Maria Wheeker,” Schiel recalls of their phone conversation that morning. “I said, ‘So you want the militia?' And she said, ‘Yes.”
Robert Melvin Wise
Wise, Robert Melvin
Age 56 of Manchester, passed away February 15, 2010. He was born on August 17, 1953 in Toledo, OH the son of Melvin and Betty (Miller) Wise. He was employed at Allegiance Health in Jackson, MI as a Respiratory Therapist and was a member of the National Association of Respiratory Therapists. Robert will be remembered as a kind, gentle person who enjoyed woodworking and organic farming. He is survived by two siblings; Randy (Aileen) Wise and Jane Wise and his "best bud" Karen Reynolds. In honor of Robert, memorial donations may be given to Huron Valley Humane Society. Envelopes will be available at Borek Jennings Funeral Home. Robert's family is planning to have a Celebration of his Life at a later date. Please leave a message of comfort for Robert's family by calling 877-231-7900 or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.
Originally posted by ChrisF231
Can someone explain to me what is going on out in Michigan? The FBI and US Army are arresting militia members and the militia is preparing for battle? Why is this not on the news? I would think that if we had another Waco type incident it would be on the news by now.
Originally posted by Stormdancer777
Originally posted by ChrisF231
Can someone explain to me what is going on out in Michigan? The FBI and US Army are arresting militia members and the militia is preparing for battle? Why is this not on the news? I would think that if we had another Waco type incident it would be on the news by now.
Good question, why isn't in on the news.
All we have is Obama's surprise trip to Afghanistan,
Look the other why.
The FBI says agents have conducted weekend raids in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, and at least three people have been arrested.
Federal warrants are sealed, but FBI spokeswoman Sandra Berchtold said Sunday there has been "law enforcement activity" in two Michigan counties near the Ohio border.
FBI spokesman Scott Wilson in Cleveland says agents arrested two people Saturday in northwest Ohio. A third arrest was made in Illinois on Sunday, a day after raids in northwest Indiana.
WXYZ-TV in Detroit reports that one raid centered on a Michigan property where suspected members of a militia live.
Federal agents are in the second day of raids around the southeastern Michigan city of Adrian that may be connected to a militia group.
The station says helicopters were spotted in the sky for much of Saturday night, and agents set up checkpoints throughout the area. Witnesses told the station that it was like a small army had descended on the area.
At lest seven people, including some from Michigan, have been arrested in raids by a FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana as part of an investigation into an Adrian-based Christian militia group, a person familiar with the matter said.
The suspects are expected to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Detroit on Monday.
Mike Lackomar, of Michiganmilitia.com, said he heard from other militia members that the FBI targeted the Hutaree after its members made threats of violence against Islamic organizations.
"Last night and into today the FBI conducted a raid against homes belonging to the Hutaree. They are a religious cult. They are not part of our militia community," he said.
Lackomar said he was told there were five arrests Saturday and another five early Sunday. The FBI declined to comment.
One of the Hutaree members called the Michigan militia for assistance Saturday after federal agents had already began their raid, Lackomar said, but the militia member -- who was of Islamic decent and had heard about the threats -- declined to offer help.