COVID-19 delays trial in plot to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 9 months ago

COVID-19 delays trial in plot to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The trial for four men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Undercover FBI agents and informants were expected to testify in the coming weeks, as were two co-conspirators who pleaded guilty prior to trial as prosecutors build their case against four defendants accused of plotting to kidnap Whitmer. In testimony last week, prosecutors sought to counter defense claims that the four were entrapped, tricked by the FBI into joining a kidnapping conspiracy that wouldn’t have occurred to them otherwise. Jurors heard him and defendant Adam Fox in social media postings and recordings ranting about purported government abuses and saying violence was a valid response. Prosecutors said authorities arrested Fox, Croft, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta in October 2020 to thwart the kidnapping and to ensure the men couldn’t follow through on bids to buy powerful explosives.

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History of this topic

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 …

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 …

Whitmer kidnap plot convictions unlikely to curb extremism
2 years, 4 months ago

Whitmer kidnap plot convictions unlikely to curb extremism

Associated Press  

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The conviction of two men for conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor, said refusing to do so would have been “the coward’s way out.” “We’re seeing an escalation of threats of violence against public officials,” McQuade said. He described the Whitmer kidnapping plan as a “fake deal.” Jury selection in the …

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 is told 2 men wanted to kidnap Whitmer, start revolt
2 years, 4 months ago

Jury is told 2 men wanted to kidnap Whitmer, start revolt

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Two anti-government extremists sought to spark a “second American revolution” by kidnapping Michigan Gov. The steps included gun drills in a handmade “shoot house,” two rides to see Whitmer’s northern Michigan home and a stop at a nearby bridge where an explosive might be placed, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher O’Connor said. “They wanted to violently overthrow …

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 …

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. …

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 …

FBI: Accused wanted ‘tyrant’ Gov. Whitmer tied up on table
2 years, 9 months ago

FBI: Accused wanted ‘tyrant’ Gov. Whitmer tied up on table

Associated Press  

A key figure in an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told an undercover FBI agent that he wanted to restrain the “tyrant” on a table then pose for a photo “like we just made the biggest drug bust,” according to a secret recording played for jurors Thursday. Agent Mark Schweers told the jury that he was posing …

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 …

Trial resuming for 4 men accused of Michigan governor plot
2 years, 9 months ago

Trial resuming for 4 men accused of Michigan governor plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The trial of four men charged with planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Prosecutors say they turned their anger toward government in 2020 into a plot to kidnap Whitmer because of the restrictions she imposed during the early months of the pandemic. She has blamed former President Donald Trump for fomenting anger over coronavirus restrictions and refusing …

COVID-19 delays trial in plot to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 9 months ago

COVID-19 delays trial in plot to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The trial of four men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker did not identify the person in his order Sunday, saying only that an “essential trial participant” tested positive over the weekend. The trial, which involves 18 jurors, four defendants and a raft of lawyers and support staff, started last …

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 …

Jury hears man discuss plan to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 9 months ago

Jury hears man discuss plan to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Prosecutors in the trial of four men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. He’s later heard speaking almost giddily about the damage he could cause, saying it would be “devastating.” Prosecutors say the men — Croft, Adam Fox, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta — planned to snatch Whitmer from her Michigan vacation home because they …

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 …

Jury Selection Starts In Michigan Governor Kidnap Plot
2 years, 9 months ago

Jury Selection Starts In Michigan Governor Kidnap Plot

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With secret recordings and other evidence, prosecutors are pledging to show how four men were united behind a wild plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor in response to her aggressive steps to slow down COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic. Jury selection began Tuesday for a trial that could last more than …

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 …

EXPLAINER: Charges at Michigan governor kidnap plot trial
2 years, 9 months ago

EXPLAINER: Charges at Michigan governor kidnap plot trial

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 …

Spring break could affect jury pool in Whitmer kidnap trial
2 years, 10 months ago

Spring break could affect jury pool in Whitmer kidnap trial

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spring break could affect the makeup of the jury in the upcoming trial of four men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. They were “groomed” by informants and undercover agents, “like music producers seeking out young, talented, musicians that can be combined into a money-making act,” Fox’s attorney, Christopher Gibbons, said in a court filing …

2nd man pleads guilty in alleged 2020 plot to kidnap Whitmer
2 years, 10 months ago

2nd man pleads guilty in alleged 2020 plot to kidnap Whitmer

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Prosecutors bagged a second conviction Wednesday in an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Franks replied, “yes, sir,” to a series of questions from U.S. Magistrate Judge Phillip Green, who went over many details in the plea agreement. Franks said he connected online with the Wolverine Watchmen, a self-styled militia group, in spring 2020, attended a …

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 …

Grand jury indicts six accused in Michigan governor kidnap plot
4 years ago

Grand jury indicts six accused in Michigan governor kidnap plot

Al Jazeera  

The men were arrested and charged in October with plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Six men facing charges of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer were indicted by a grand jury this week, the US attorney’s office for western Michigan said on Thursday. Parker Douglas, a lawyer representing Harris, said Harris had pleaded not guilty because “there …

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 …

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