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October 15 – 21, 2020 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 42 www .associatednewspapers.net

THE BELLEVILLE 2 local men charged in militia kidnap plot
ENTERPRISE
ENTERPRISE
Two local men are facing fed-
Vol. 135, No. 42 eral and state criminal charges Caserta met with others at the
Lake Orion home of another
Sumpter Township, in connection with a plot to kid- militia member on Aug. 23.
Belleville, Van Buren nap and possibly kill Gov. “The group had discussed
Township, Huron Township Gretchen Whitmer before the concerns about being infiltrated
and Romulus voters will Nov. 3 election. by law enforcement and all
decide on a new judge at the The two are among 13 men attendees were required to bring
34th District Court Nov. 3. arrested by agents of the FBI personal documents to confirm
See page 3. and Michigan State Police last their identities,” according to
week. The men are reportedly prosecutors. “During the meet-
all members of self-described ing, the group discussed sur-
THE CANTON militia groups in the state and veilling the vacation home (of
EAGLE hatched the plot in protest of the the governor) in preparation for
EAGLE
governor's orders regarding
attacks on the Governor.”
Vol. 73, No. 42 health precautions during the Members of the group had, in
ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. fact, discovered the address of
The Aquatic Center at the Some of the men charged the governor's vacation home Shawn Fix Brandon Caserta
Summit on the Park is attended a protest on the Capitol and had surveilled the location flag and a flag with a coiled Nessel the suspects were mem-
expected to reopen early steps earlier this year and were on at least two occasions, investi- snake and the words, “Don't bers of a militia group called
next year, following comple- photographed carrying assault gators noted. Tread On Me” in the front yard The Wolverine Watchmen. They
tion of $1.5 million in major weapons among protestors bran- Caserta is facing federal of his Belleville home, along are accused in state filings of
renovations. dishing signs critical of the gov- charges of domestic terrorism with two ‘Truckers for Trump’ attempting to identify law
See page 6.
ernor. for his part in the plot and could signs. enforcement officers' home
The suspects are charged also face state charges, accord- According to witnesses, more addresses in order to target the
THE INKSTER with multiple felonies including ing to authorities. than a dozen police vehicles, officers and have made threats
LEDGER STAR domestic terrorism, and face life is facing state charges for what including a SWAT van, swarmed of violence to instigate a civil
LEDGER STAR
Belleville resident Shawn Fix
Fix' home at about 6:30 p.m. last
war leading to societal collapse.
in prison on some charges if con-
Vol. 73, No. 42 victed of the allegations which prosecutors allege was his par- Wednesday. Police warned Fix to Court documents also claim that
include both federal and state ticipation in the kidnapping plot. put down his weapon and come the men have engaged in plan-
Inkster police are contin- crimes. He is charged with providing out of the home and neighbors ning and training for an opera-
uing to search for two sus- The plot was foiled by under- material support for terrorist said they witnessed several peo- tion to attack the Michigan
pects in a shooting incident cover informants who turned acts, a 20-year felony and/or a ple in handcuffs being removed Capitol building and kidnap gov-
last week which took place against the group, according to $20,000 fine and carrying or pos- from the home by officers. Police ernment officials including the
during a large gathering at a published reports. sessing a firearm during the stayed at the Belleville home for governor. Investigators said the
party. Among those arraigned last commission of a felony, a manda- about three hours conducting a men planned to take Whitmer to
See page 8.
week on multiple charges is tory two-year prison sentence. search of the house and the adja- an undisclosed Wisconsin loca-
Brandon Caserta, 32, of Canton He remains in police custody. cent wooded area. tion where a “trial” would take
THE NORTHVILLE Township. Federal prosecutors According to investigators, According to the office of place which could have resulted
EAGLE
EAGLE allege in court documents that Fix displayed both an American State Attorney General Dana in her murder.
Vol. 20, No. 42 Westland man arrested in Northville hit-and-run
While the Halloween spir-
Northville Township Police
it and some activities are in have arrested a Westland teen in vehicle that struck and killed 20- along Sheldon Road near Six District Court and a not guilty
Mile in the township. Duhn died
year-old Dominic Duhn of
plea was entered on his behalf.
question due to the the hit-and-run death of a local Northville. at the scene, according to police His bond was set at $250,000 or
Coronavirus safety precau- man earlier this month. The incident took place at reports, and witnesses told offi- 10 percent and he must wear a
tions, the skeletons in down- Gustavo Godinez, Jr., 19, was about 11:30 p.m. Sept. 3 when cers that the driver of the vehi- GPS tether if released, Gerou
town Northville are on full arrested Friday and faces up to Duhn, a student at Michigan cle, driving southbound toward also ordered Godinez not to
display. 15 years in prison if convicted of State University, was skate- Five Mile Road, sped from the operate a vehicle.
See page 7.
charges that he was driving the boarding with some friends scene without stopping. They Godinez' next court date is
described the car as either a Oct. 23 at the 35th District Court
THE PLYMOUTH white or silver sedan that would in Plymouth.
EAGLE have sustained damage from the “The active involvement of
EAGLE
Vol. 20, No. 42 impact. the community, the Michigan
State Police and Crime Stoppers
Duhn's father said his son
Members of the was using a strobe light on his of Michigan brought this investi-
Plymouth-Canton VFW Post cell phone to alert drivers of his gation to a close,” noted
6695 are sponsoring the presence along the side of the Northville Township
annual scholarship program roadway. Department of Public Safety
for students in grades 6 The office of the Wayne Director Todd L. Mutchler in a
through 12. County Prosecutor has charged prepared statement.
See page 5. Godinez with failure to stop at Last week, Crime Stoppers,
the scene of an at-fault accident the Duhn family, and other
resulting in serious impairment donors were offering a $15,000
THE ROMULUS or death, a felony punishable by reward as the family attended a
ROMAN up to 15 years in prison. Godinez press conference pleading for
ROMAN
Vol. 135, No. 42 was arraigned last Friday before justice for their son and for the
Gustavo Godinez, Jr. Dominic Duhn Judge Michael Gerou of the 35th driver to come forward.
Romulus City Clerk Ellen
local clerks extending hours Local mayor elected to lead Michigan Municipal League
Craig Bragg is among the

this month to accommodate Westland Mayor William R. the organization ended this Officials Academy, and serving
the strong voter turnout Wild has been named as the week. on various legislative and
expected for the Nov. 3 elec- 2020-21 president of the Selected to the League Board municipal finance committees.
tion. Michigan Municipal League. in September of 2017, Wild had Prior to becoming mayor of
See page 3.
Wild was selected to the served as vice president since Westland in 2007, Wild served on
office by the 18-member January and, along with Moore, the Westland Planning
THE WAYNE Michigan Municipal League helped guide the organization as Commission from 1999 to 2001
EAGLE
EAGLE (MML) Board of Trustees during it addressed the coronavirus and was elected to the city coun-
cil from 2001 to 2007, serving as
pandemic and racial inequities
the virtual convention of the
Vol. 73, No. 42 organization which took place brought to the national spotlight council president from 2006-
The State Wayne Theater last month. Board members following the death of George 2007. He also is former U.S
was scheduled to reopen last also named Pontiac Mayor Dr. Floyd in Minneapolis, according House of Representatives candi-
week the first time since clos- Deirdre Waterman as vice presi- to League directors. date for MI-13th in 2018.
ing in response to COVID 19 dent. “Mayor Pro Tem Moore and His involvement extends
health concerns. “It's very exciting to be the Mayor Wild have done an amaz- beyond the League as he's also
See page 8. League's president, and it's ing job leading our organization active with the United States
something I'm very proud of,” and our member communities Conference of Mayors,
Wild said. “To say the least, it's over the past several months, Conference of Western Wayne
THE WESTLAND an exciting, yet challenging time which have been very challeng- William R. Wild (CWW), Southeast Michigan
EAGLE for local governments. We're try- ing to put it mildly,” said League Council of Governments (SEM-
EAGLE
Vol. 73, No. 42 ing to redefine our communities CEO and Executive Director ization well in the next year.” COG), and the Michigan
Municipal Risk Management
to remain relevant, while also
Wild has extensive experi-
Dan Gilmartin. “I have the
An autistic man who suf- tackling some of the biggest utmost confidence that Mayor ence in municipal leadership Authority (MMRMA). Under his
fered a serious injury from a challenges we've ever faced.” Wild will continue the strong and is the longest serving mayor leadership as mayor, Westland
blow by a Westland police Wild succeeds Saginaw and thoughtful leadership that in the history of Westland. He is has successfully attracted more
officer wielding a baton may Mayor Pro Tem Brenda F. he demonstrated as vice presi- active in the League since than $200 million in new invest-
once again face armed rob- Moore as president, whose his- dent. Mayor Wild brings a attending his first MML ment to the Westland business
bery charges. toric term as the first African- wealth of municipal experience Convention in 2000, participat-
See page 8. American female president of that I know will serve our organ- ing in the League Elected See Wild, page 8

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