Published: 8/8/2012

2 Hutaree members don’t get further jail time on weapons charges

BLADE STAFF

David Stone, right, and wife Tina Stone, left, arrive at the Federal courthouse in Detroit. THE DETROIT NEWS Enlarge

DETROIT — The leader of a southern Michigan militia and his son who were acquitted in March of conspiring to rebel against the government were today given credit for time served at their sentencing on lesser charges in federal court.

U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts tossed aside prosecutors’ requests for additional prison time and instead released David Stone, 48, and Joshua Stone, 23, from spending additional time in prison on gun charges.

Both men spent two years in jail before their trials on conspiracy and other charges related to the government’s investigation into the Lenawee County-based militia Hutaree.

Following an eight-week trial, they and five other members of the group, including the elder Stone’s wife, Tina Stone, were found not guilty by Judge Roberts, who found insufficient evidence in the case that the Hutaree members plotted a violent revolt against the government.

David and Joshua Stone subsequently pleaded guilty to possessing illegal firearms.

Judge Roberts also imposed a sentence of time served on Joshua Clough, who pleaded guilty to a weapons charge. Of the nine people arrested in March, 2010, Clough, 31, of Ogden Township, was the only Hutaree member to enter a plea before the trial.

After the Stones and five others were acquitted, Clough was allowed to scratch a prior deal and plead guilty to a lesser crime.

Guidelines: Please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. If a comment violates these standards or our privacy statement or visitor's agreement, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report abuse. To post comments, you must be a Facebook member. To find out more, please visit the FAQ.