An undercover FBI agent and a cooperating witness were involved in an investigation that led to the arrests of nine people, accused of being law enforcement-hating militiamen who plotted to kill police officers in Michigan.
A government filing in the case indicates an undercover FBI agent as well as an unidentified cooperating witness helped provide intelligence to a federal grand jury about at least one of the alleged members of the group — Thomas Piatek, who delivers steel drums for a South Side company.
“The person pictured therein is the person known by a Cooperating Witness and an undercover FBI agent to be the person who participated in the criminal violations contained in the indictment,” a government filing in the case reads, referring to photos of Piatek shown to the grand jury.
The filing was made to correct Piatek’s middle name, which it says was mistakenly entered as Edward instead of William on his arrest warrant and indictment.
The indictment accuses Piatek and eight others of the Hutaree militia of taking part in a plot to kill a Michigan law enforcement officer, await a funeral, then use a bomb to do more harm en masse.
The grand jury was shown two photos of Piatek, including a photo of his Indiana driver’s license, according to the filing. Piatek, 56, of Hammond, was arrested at an apartment building outside of Clarendon Hills Sunday, where he was visiting his girlfriend. He was often seen coming in and out wearing camouflage, according to neighbors.
The extent of the FBI agent’s role in the case against the militia has not been made public. But U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade told the Chicago Sun-Times Tuesday that authorities had been watching the group closely for sometime. When militia members allegedly set an April date to carry out their attack, they crossed the line from “just fantasy,” she said.
“We knew we had to move,” McQuade said.
She said Hutaree members plotted to make a false 911 call, kill responding officers and then use a bomb to kill many more at the funeral.
The filing is the first disclosure that an undercover agent was used to investigate a group that loathed law enforcement officers.
“We have not confirmed or denied that information,” FBI spokeswoman Sandra Berchtold said.
In court, Piatek on Monday denied he was and the man in the charging papers. He’s scheduled to appear today before a Hammond federal judge for an identity hearing.
McQuade said Piatek had a clear interest and involvement with the group.
“Mr. Piatek would travel to Lenawee County for training,” McQuade said. “He participated in the planning. He participated in the training.”
His lawyer declined comment.
Workers at Meyer Industrial Container, 610 W. 81st St., confirmed that Piatek worked with them as a truck driver delivering steel drums, but manager Nate Smith declined to comment.
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