New Mich. constable is former militia member

Former militia member cleared of conspiracy is elected as Mich. township constable

Michael David Meeks speaks to reporters with his lawyers after being acquitted of charges connected to the Hutaree Militia at the U.S. courthouse in Detroit. Meeks is the new lawman in a Washtenaw County township.

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The new lawman in a Washtenaw County township is a former militia member.

Michael Meeks last week won the job of constable in Bridgewater Township, near Manchester. The former member of the Hutaree (hoo-TAR'-ee) militia was unopposed and got 631 votes in the election.

Meeks says his duties in the unpaid job still are unclear, although he might get involved in enforcing zoning issues.

Meeks was among members of the Hutaree militia charged with conspiring to attack the government. In March, a judge acquitted him and others, saying prosecutors failed to prove their case.

Meeks says many people in the community agree with him that it was a “phony” case.