FBI raids in Leelanau County tied to Texas investigation

Search reportedly involves hazardous chemicals

The FBI conducted raids on two homes in Leelanau County which appear to be linked to a federal investigation in Texas.

Local 4 Defenders reports federal agents swarmed three different homes in the Houston area belonging to Cecily Horton and her husband, Andrew Schneck, who have ties to the local arts community.

The family owns properties in the communities of Leland and Suttons Bay in northern lower Michigan. Those properties were also searched by federal agents.

Sources tell the Defenders that agents were searching for chemicals that could be used to make tear gas or nerve gas, and the agents are focusing on the couple's son.

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Department confirmed that 60 federal agents were involved in the investigation, and while the search involved hazardous chemicals, there was no danger posed to the public.

Details of the investigation are not being released due to the sealing of warrants by a federal magistrate.


About the Author

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.

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