A man charged with aiding Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot says the scheme didn’t seem serious
1 year, 3 months ago

A man charged with aiding Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot says the scheme didn’t seem serious

Associated Press  

One of three men accused of assisting a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Molitor said Whitmer’s name didn’t come up when he was encouraged by the scheme’s leader, Adam Fox, to go to Antrim County to check out a “high-profile vacation house” in August 2020. “My danger level went way down.” He said he voted for Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel, both Democrats, in 2018 but soured on them. “Other than that, voting her out was my best way of taking care of that.” The Null brothers were part of a separate night ride to see Whitmer’s property several days later. After the plot was thwarted, Whitmer blamed then-President Donald Trump, saying he had given “comfort to those who spread fear and hatred and division.” Trump called the kidnapping plan a “fake deal” in August 2022.

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History of this topic

Jury clears 3 men in the last trial tied to the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
1 year, 3 months ago

Jury clears 3 men in the last trial tied to the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Associated Press  

A jury acquitted three men Friday in the last trial connected to a plan to kidnap Michigan Gov. Outside the courthouse, a juror approached Molitor and “said he was very sorry for all he had gone through,” defense attorney William Barnett told The Associated Press. Jurors were repeatedly shown images of the Null brothers and Molitor bearing guns and “kitted …

Jury clears 3 men in the last trial tied to the plot to kidnap Michigan governor
1 year, 3 months ago

Jury clears 3 men in the last trial tied to the plot to kidnap Michigan governor

LA Times  

William Null answers questions from his defense attorney Damian Nunzio on Monday in 13th Circuit Court in Bellaire, Mich. A jury acquitted William, his twin brother Michael Null and Eric Molitor on Friday in the last trial connected to a plan to kidnap Michigan Gov. A jury acquitted three men Friday in the last trial connected to a plan to …

Prosecutor says 3 men accused in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer wanted to start a civil war
1 year, 4 months ago

Prosecutor says 3 men accused in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer wanted to start a civil war

Associated Press  

BELLAIRE, Mich. — Three men accused of aiding a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. They all desired to start a civil war, if you can believe it,” William Rollstin of the state attorney general’s office said in his opening trial statement. The Null brothers, both 41, were leaders of a group called the Michigan Liberty Militia and supported the so-called …

Jury selection begins in final trial over foiled plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor in 2020
1 year, 4 months ago

Jury selection begins in final trial over foiled plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor in 2020

Associated Press  

BELLAIRE, Mich. — Nearly three years after authorities foiled a bizarre plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. The Nulls and Molitor attended a training session in Luther, Michigan, where a “shoot house” was constructed to simulate Whitmer’s vacation home, witnesses previously testified. Whitmer’s neighborhood and to interact with the other two vehicles participating in the surveillance by using hand-held radios,” prosecutors …

Man pleads guilty to assisting in plot to kidnap Michigan governor
1 year, 6 months ago

Man pleads guilty to assisting in plot to kidnap Michigan governor

Associated Press  

BELLAIRE, Mich. — A man accused of aiding a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor pleaded guilty Wednesday, the ninth conviction in state and federal courts since agents broke up an astonishing scheme by anti-government rebels in 2020. Fix trained with a militia, the Wolverine Watchmen, for “politically motivated violence,” prosecutors have said, and hosted a five-hour meeting at his Belleville …

Michigan's Dem AG was target of anti-Semitic plot to murder Jewish elected officials: FBI
1 year, 9 months ago

Michigan's Dem AG was target of anti-Semitic plot to murder Jewish elected officials: FBI

Raw Story  

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Thursday revealed that she was a target in an anti-Semitic plot that involved murdering Jewish elected officials. Writing on Twitter, Nessel says that the FBI contacted her to let her know that she was on an apparent hitlist made by Tipton, Michigan resident Jack Eugene Carpenter III, who was arrested last month on charges …

Trial ordered for 5 men in plot to kidnap Michigan governor
2 years ago

Trial ordered for 5 men in plot to kidnap Michigan governor

Associated Press  

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Five men were turned over for trial Wednesday on charges involving a foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. “They were all involved in the plot to kidnap the governor.” He added later, “In my mind, there is clearly a criminal conspiracy here.” After his ruling, Stepka entered not-guilty pleas on the defendants’ behalf. The judge’s decision …

3 men convicted of supporting plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 1 month ago

3 men convicted of supporting plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

Three men accused of supporting terrorism in the plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor were convicted of all charges Wednesday in a trial that focused on paramilitary drills and fierce contempt for government ahead of the 2020 election. The verdicts “are further proof that violence and threats have no place in our politics,” said Whitmer, who has not participated as a …

EXPLAINER: 3 more on trial in Michigan governor kidnap plot
2 years, 2 months ago

EXPLAINER: 3 more on trial in Michigan governor kidnap plot

Associated Press  

JACKSON, Mich. — A scheme to kidnap Michigan’s governor in 2020 will get yet another airing in a different court when three men face trial Monday, just weeks before voters consider whether to reelect Gretchen Whitmer to a second term. “They didn’t go out and participate in a plan to kidnap the governor,” Assistant Attorney General Sunita Doddamani said in …

Michigan governor hopeful makes light of Whitmer kidnap plot
2 years, 3 months ago

Michigan governor hopeful makes light of Whitmer kidnap plot

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — The Republican candidate for Michigan governor on Friday compared Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s policies to the 2020 plot to kidnap the Democratic incumbent, remarks that Democrats criticized as making light of a serious and dangerous crime. “For someone so worried about being kidnapped, Gretchen Whitmer sure is good at taking business hostage.” At an event later Friday, Dixon …

2 men convicted in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot seek new trial
2 years, 3 months ago

2 men convicted in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot seek new trial

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Lawyers for two men convicted of conspiring to kidnap Michigan’s governor are asking for a new trial, alleging misconduct by a juror and unfairness by the judge. The court filing, unsealed Thursday, reveals an aggressive effort to learn more about a juror, even sending a private investigator to the juror’s workplace on Aug. 23, the same …

2 men convicted in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 4 months ago

2 men convicted in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A jury on Tuesday convicted two men of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. A different jury just four months ago couldn’t reach unanimous decisions on Adam Fox or Barry Croft Jr. but acquitted two other men, a stunning conclusion that led to a second trial. Fox and Croft, they said, were “big talkers” who liked to …

Two men convicted in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
2 years, 4 months ago

Two men convicted in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

LA Times  

Barry Croft Jr., left, and Adam Fox were found guilty of conspiring to kidnap Michigan’s governor and conspiring to obtain a weapon of mass destruction, namely a bomb to destroy a bridge. Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. were also found guilty of conspiring to obtain a weapon of mass destruction, namely a bomb to blow up a bridge and …

Witnesses say duo was eager to kidnap Michigan governor
2 years, 4 months ago

Witnesses say duo was eager to kidnap Michigan governor

Associated Press  

Two men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. And it’s creating a perception, I think, among the jurors that the court has a preference for how this case ends.” U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker defended his decision, saying there was no need for certain questions to be “teed up over and over again.” He complained about the trial’s pace …

Jury picked in 2nd trial in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
2 years, 4 months ago

Jury picked in 2nd trial in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — After questions about guns, politics and COVID-19, a jury was selected Tuesday for the second trial of two men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. The judge and lawyers settled on 18 people, including six alternates, to hear the case against Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. They’re on trial again after a jury in …

2 men face new trial over scheme to kidnap Michigan governor
2 years, 4 months ago

2 men face new trial over scheme to kidnap Michigan governor

Associated Press  

Two men accused of crafting a plan to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 and ignite a national rebellion are facing a second trial this week, months after a jury couldn’t reach a verdict on the pair while acquitting two others. “They’re going to try this all over again, and the government’s view is, ‘We’re going to prevail.’” Also …

In outcome of Whitmer case, some see freedom, others danger
2 years, 8 months ago

In outcome of Whitmer case, some see freedom, others danger

Associated Press  

Outside the Michigan courthouse where a jury did not convict any of the four men charged with planning to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a defense lawyer said jurors saw the alleged plot as what it was: Dirty FBI tactics and “rough talk.” The men — who were heard on audio during the trial talking about killing Whitmer, blowing up a …

In Whitmer plot case, was it violent political rhetoric or just ‘rough talk’?
2 years, 8 months ago

In Whitmer plot case, was it violent political rhetoric or just ‘rough talk’?

LA Times  

Michael Hills, the attorney for defendant Brandon Caserta, speaks to reporters after his client was found not guilty of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a defense lawyer said jurors saw the case as what it was: dirty FBI tactics and “rough talk.” The men didn’t say anything shocking, attorney Michael Hills said, though they were heard on audio …

Whitmer kidnap plot: 2 men acquitted, hung jury for 2 more
2 years, 8 months ago

Whitmer kidnap plot: 2 men acquitted, hung jury for 2 more

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A jury on Friday acquitted two men of all charges in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. “Obviously we’re disappointed with the outcome.. We have two defendants that are awaiting trial and we’ll get back to work on that,” U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge said. During closing arguments a week ago, Fox’s attorney, Christopher Gibbons, said the …

Jury gets case of 4 men charged in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
2 years, 8 months ago

Jury gets case of 4 men charged in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A prosecutor urged jurors Friday to convict four men in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Defense attorneys, meanwhile, panned the government’s case: One said the men were turned into “terrorists” by rogue investigators, while another pleaded with jurors to put the brakes on the FBI. Kessler said the group’s motive was to spark the “boogaloo,” …

Man in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot: No one twisted our arms
2 years, 9 months ago

Man in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot: No one twisted our arms

Associated Press  

A second insider in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Franks, 27, said an alleged leader, Adam Fox, believed Whitmer’s COVID-19 restrictions were “tyrannical” and that the U.S. Constitution gave the men a right to strike back. “I would be one of the people on the front line, so to speak, using my gun.” He said Fox talked about snatching …

Witness Testifies How Extremists Planned To Kidnap Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 9 months ago

Witness Testifies How Extremists Planned To Kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING A man who pleaded guilty to planning a kidnapping of Michigan Gov. Ty Garbin talked about building a “shoot house” with wood, tarps and scrap materials to resemble Whitmer’s home so the men could practice an eventual assault in Elk Rapids. But Garbin’s testimony comes from someone who pleaded guilty and said he was a willing participant …

Whitmer kidnapping aimed to prevent Biden election win: Witness
2 years, 9 months ago

Whitmer kidnapping aimed to prevent Biden election win: Witness

Al Jazeera  

Plan was to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer before 2020 US presidential vote, informant testifies at trial. A US man who has pleaded guilty to planning to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer told jurors on Wednesday that he and four men on trial wanted to attack before the 2020 election to prevent Joe Biden from winning the United States presidency. …

Text: When’s ‘lynching?’ Michigan governor plot leader said
2 years, 9 months ago

Text: When’s ‘lynching?’ Michigan governor plot leader said

Associated Press  

A man described as the leader of a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asked “when’s the lynching?” after the state Supreme Court in 2020 struck down a law that she repeatedly used to impose restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to evidence introduced Monday. With Chappel in the witness chair, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler introduced messages written …

Gretchen Whitmer was to be tied up and posed for photos in kidnap plot, trial hears
2 years, 9 months ago

Gretchen Whitmer was to be tied up and posed for photos in kidnap plot, trial hears

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Four self-proclaimed militiamen who allegedly planned to kidnap Democratic Michigan …

Snapshots of 4 men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot
2 years, 9 months ago

Snapshots of 4 men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — After more than two days of testimony, jurors have unflattering snapshots of four men who are charged with planning to strike back against government by kidnapping Michigan Gov. Fitness centers, he said, were “essential for a lot of people’s mental health.” In August 2020, according to the government, Fox scouted Whitmer’s cottage for the first time …

Snapshots of 4 men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot
2 years, 9 months ago

Snapshots of 4 men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — After more than two days of testimony, jurors have unflattering snapshots of four men who are charged with planning to strike back against government by kidnapping Michigan Gov. Fitness centers, he said, were “essential for a lot of people’s mental health.” In August 2020, according to the government, Fox scouted Whitmer’s cottage for the first time …

Lawyers: FBI lured men for Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
2 years, 9 months ago

Lawyers: FBI lured men for Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The four men charged with planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Investigators stepped in and stopped a “tragedy” when the men were planning to acquire a bomb to blow up a bridge near Whitmer’s home to stop police from quickly responding, Roth told jurors during his opening statement in federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Roth said …

Jury picked for Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot trial
2 years, 9 months ago

Jury picked for Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot trial

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A jury was selected Tuesday for the trial of four men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Defense attorneys say the men deny any conspiracy to kidnap Whitmer, and have signaled an entrapment defense, criticizing the government’s use of undercover FBI agents and confidential informants. Earlier Tuesday, Jonker told prospective jurors they must put aside …

EXPLAINER: Charges in alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 9 months ago

EXPLAINER: Charges in alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Four members of anti-government groups are facing trial this week on federal charges accusing them in a chilling plot to abduct Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, in 2020. Jury instructions proposed by prosecutors prior to trial explain that convictions on the kidnapping and weapons conspiracy charges require evidence that each defendant committed at least one of the long …

2nd Man Accused Of Trying To Kidnap Michigan Governor Agrees To Plead Guilty
2 years, 10 months ago

2nd Man Accused Of Trying To Kidnap Michigan Governor Agrees To Plead Guilty

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING DETROIT — A man charged in an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has agreed to plead guilty, according to documents filed Monday, giving prosecutors a second insider who could be a key witness at a March trial. Kaleb Franks said he willfully conspired with five other men to kidnap the Democratic governor before FBI …

Man gets 6 years in prison in Michigan governor kidnap plot
3 years, 3 months ago

Man gets 6 years in prison in Michigan governor kidnap plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A man upset over state-ordered coronavirus restrictions was sentenced to just over six years in prison Wednesday for planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. In his plea agreement, Garbin said the six men trained at his property near Luther, Michigan, constructing a “shoot house” to resemble Whitmer’s vacation home and “assaulting it with firearms.” The government, noting …

Judge orders 3 to trial in plot to kidnap Michigan governor
3 years, 8 months ago

Judge orders 3 to trial in plot to kidnap Michigan governor

Associated Press  

A Michigan judge on Monday ordered three men to stand trial in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. “My office is pleased to see this case move forward and to have the opportunity to hold these men accountable for their actions.” According to a court affidavit, Musico and Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen, which authorities described …

Man pleads guilty in conspiracy to kidnap Michigan governor
3 years, 10 months ago

Man pleads guilty in conspiracy to kidnap Michigan governor

Associated Press  

DETROIT — One of six men charged in an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. He said he and others trained with weapons in Munith, Michigan, and Cambria, Wisconsin, last summer and “discussed the plan to storm the Capitol and kidnap the governor.” The plot, he said, eventually switched to Whitmer’s second home in Antrim County. Garbin said he “advocated …

Man to plead guilty in plot to kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer
3 years, 10 months ago

Man to plead guilty in plot to kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer

Hindustan Times  

One of six men charged in an alleged plot to snatch Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has agreed to plead guilty to a kidnapping conspiracy, according to a court document filed Wednesday. A federal grand jury has charged six men with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. He said he and others trained with weapons in Munith, Michigan, and Cambria, Wisconsin, last …

Suspect Pleads Guilty In Plot To Kidnap Michigan Governor, Turns Government Witness
3 years, 10 months ago

Suspect Pleads Guilty In Plot To Kidnap Michigan Governor, Turns Government Witness

NPR  

Suspect Pleads Guilty In Plot To Kidnap Michigan Governor, Turns Government Witness Enlarge this image toggle caption Kent County Sheriff via AP Kent County Sheriff via AP One of six defendants charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Sponsor Message The plea agreement lays out pages of startling details from Garbin about the alleged plot to kidnap Whitmer, a Democrat …

6 men indicted in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan governor
4 years ago

6 men indicted in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan governor

Associated Press  

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A federal grand jury has charged six men with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. The indictment released Thursday by U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge levied the conspiracy charge against Adam Dean Fox, Barry Gordon Croft Jr., Ty Gerard Garbin, Kaleb James Franks, Daniel Joseph Harris and Brandon Michael-Ray Caserta. It says Fox later met Garbin, a leader …

Judge finds cases against 5 in Whitmer plot can move forward
4 years, 2 months ago

Judge finds cases against 5 in Whitmer plot can move forward

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Prosecutors provided enough evidence to move toward trial for five Michigan men accused of plotting to kidnap the state’s governor because of her measures to control spread of the coronavirus and they will all remain held without bond, a federal judge ruled Friday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Sally Berens said the five men’s cases can go to …

Another suspect charged in alleged Michigan kidnap plot
4 years, 2 months ago

Another suspect charged in alleged Michigan kidnap plot

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s attorney general charged an eighth person Thursday in what authorities have described as a foiled scheme to storm the state Capitol building and kidnap officials, including Gov. “These were very credible, and very serious threats to our elected officials and the public in general, and the swift actions taken by state and federal authorities this past …

Agent: Michigan, Virginia governors mentioned in kidnap plot
4 years, 2 months ago

Agent: Michigan, Virginia governors mentioned in kidnap plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Members of anti-government paramilitary groups implicated in an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor ahead of the November election because of her measures to slow the coronavirus also discussed abducting Virginia’s governor, an FBI agent testified Tuesday. “They discussed possible targets, taking a sitting governor, specifically issues with the governor of Michigan and Virginia based on …

Militia Members Plotted To Kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer, FBI Says
4 years, 2 months ago

Militia Members Plotted To Kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer, FBI Says

NPR  

Militia Members Plotted To Kidnap Michigan Gov. In a statement early Thursday, Whitmer said two militia groups "were preparing to kidnap and possibly kill me." But in a later interview on NPR's All Things Considered, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said that "multiple white supremacy groups and militia groups have been acting in accordance with one another." After abducting Whitmer, …

Thirteen charged in ‘plots’ against Michigan governor
4 years, 2 months ago

Thirteen charged in ‘plots’ against Michigan governor

Al Jazeera  

Prosecutors reveal arrests in ‘plots’ to storm the Michigan state capitol building and kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Our efforts uncovered elaborate plans to endanger the lives of law enforcement officers, government officials and the broader public,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel told a news conference to announce the charges. Seven people were charged with material support to “terrorism” related to …

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