MARQUETTE, MI (AP)-- Trial is underway in federal court in Marquette for two men linked to more than 4,000 pounds of explosive materials.
Ken Kassab of Brimley has withdrawn his guilty plea to unlawfully transporting a mix of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. That means he and co-defendant John Lechner are on trial together Monday.
Lechner is a farmer and builder from Sault Ste. Marie who's accused of buying and hiding the explosives. Lechner isn't charged with plotting to detonate the mixture, but in a recorded conversation, he told an informant that he'd become a mercenary “when the people decide to take the government back.”
Lechner was arrested last year after an informant said he wanted help to move a large quantity of materials.
