"Free Militia" Suspects Arrested in Alabama

NORTH ALABAMA-The ATF has completed a major raid involving an investigation into the cover up of a large amount of explosives spanning across North Alabama. Those being investigated admitted to being members of the "Free Militia," a group that claims they are ready, willing, and able to fight for their constitutional rights and liberties granted them as American Citizens. Six of the members of the "Free Militia" have been taken into custody.

In Trussville, Alabama, Michael Wayne Bobo was taken into custody after a raid in a home there resulted in him being in possession of a firearm, though he is a known drug addict. The charges placed against him are for the firearm possession, and it is not yet known whether the charges are a result of him being in possession of a firearm while addicted to drugs. Michael Wayne Bobo was taken to the Shelby County Jail Thursday.

The other reported members of the "Free Militia" were Raymond Dillard, Adam Cunningham, Bonnell Hughes, Randall Cole, and James Ray McElroy. All of the men were arrested in raids taking place in Etowah, Marshall, and Dekalb County, Alabama, and appeared in Federal Court on Thursday evening. They are expected to appear again in the same Federal Court on Tuesday of next week.

NBC 13 of Birmingham reported that Raymond Dillard, who also goes by the name Jeff Osborne, apparently met with an informant and stated to the informant that he was indeed a member of the "Free Militia."

Federal Investigators say Raymond Dillard and Randall Cole also purchased several empty grenade holes and filled them with explosives. They had then stockpiled them in a Collinsville, Alabama location.

While the ATF swept across North Alabama, raiding different places and uncovering the arsenal of explosives, a local school was evacuated and closed to protect students from potential harm.

Raymond Dillard, Randall Cole, and Bonnell Hughs all face conspiracy to make firearm charges, as well.