Blissfield ­Township, MI — The U.S. government secured its first guilty plea in the Hutaree case, in which nine accused militia members were charged with plotting a violent overthrow of the government.

Defendant Joshua John Clough, 29, formerly of Blissfield Township, pleaded guilty to the use of a firearm during, and in relation to, a crime of violence. Clough was also referred to in the indictment as the nicknames Azzurlin, Az and Mouse, and now faces up to five years in prison.

Eight remaining defendants are scheduled to go to trial on Feb. 7

 Clough acknowledged as part of his plea that he was a member of the Hutaree, an antigovernment militia organization that advocated and prepared for violent attacks on law enforcement.

Clough agreed that Hutaree’s goals included the use of explosive bombs against local, state and federal law enforcement officers and their vehicles according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He also said that the Hutaree conducted military-style training in Lenawee County, where they engaged in weapon proficiency drills, patrolling and reconnaissance exercises, and demonstrations on how to assemble and use explosives.

Clough admitted that around Feb. 20, 2010, he participated in a Hutaree training exercise that focused on an upcoming, covert reconnaissance exercise, which had been scheduled to take place some time in April 2010. 

While participating in the training, Clough used and carried a firearm.

Clough’s lawyer, Randall Roberts, did not speak to reporters regarding the case. 

Defense argues that group’s speech was protected

The Lenawee County-based Hutaree is accused of conspiring to kill a local law enforcement officer and then bombing the funeral among other things. 

The defendants face several charges, including seditious conspiracy and attempting to use weapons of mass destruction.

Lawyers for the defense have long argued that the government has no case — that the defendants were simply engaged in tough talk, which is protected by free speech rights, and that they never had any real plans to harm anyone.

The government disagrees, asserting that it has evidence to show that the group was armed, and ready to cause great harm.

Jacob Ward, another defendant has been declared incompetent to stand trial.

Last summer, Roberts said that Ward suffers from a mental disease or defect that makes it difficult for him to understand the severity of the charges he is facing. She ordered him to undergo treatment.

One forensic psychiatrist, however, said that Ward could regain competency in three to six months with treatment.