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Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot
_(cropped).jpg) Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer in 2021 | |
| Type | Kidnapping plot, conspiracy |
|---|---|
| Motive | Retaliation for Whitmer's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan |
| Target | Gretchen Esther Whitmer |
| Accused |
|
| Convicted |
|
| Charges | Federal: Fox, Garbin, Croft, Franks, Harris, Caserta: Conspiring to commit kidnapping Fox, Croft, Harris: Conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction State: Musico, Morrison, Fix, Molitor, Michael and William Null, Bellar, Higgins: Providing material support for terrorist acts Fix, Molitor, Michael and William Null: Firearms offenses Musico, Morrison, Bellar: Gang membership |
| Verdict | Federal: Garbin, Franks: Pleaded guilty Caserta, Harris: Not guilty Fox, Croft: Hung jury (first trial) Guilty (second trial) State: Bellar, Morrison, Musico: Guilty Fix, Higgins: Pleaded guilty Michael and William Null, Molitor: Not guilty |
| Convictions | Federal: Garbin, Franks: Conspiracy to commit kidnapping Fox, Croft: Conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction State: Bellar, Morrison, Musico, Fix: Providing material support for terrorist acts Bellar, Morrison, Musico: Gang membership Higgins: Attempting to provide material support for terrorist acts |
| Sentence | Federal: Garbin: 2+1⁄2 years in prison plus a $2,500 fine Franks: 4 years in prison Fox: 16 years in prison Croft: 19 years and 7 months in prison |
On October 8, 2020, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced the arrests of 13 men suspected of orchestrating a domestic terror plot to kidnap American politician Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of Michigan, and otherwise using violence to overthrow the state government.[1][2][3][4] Some have labeled the attempt as an example of stochastic terrorism, where violent rhetoric by prominent figures inspired the plot.[5][6][7]
Half of the suspects were tied to a paramilitary militia group that called themselves the Wolverine Watchmen.[8] Six of the suspects were charged in federal court, while the other seven were charged with state crimes.[4] A week later, a fourteenth suspect was arrested and charged in state court.[9]
Two men pleaded guilty and offered to testify on behalf of the prosecution as part of a favorable plea deal, while two men were acquitted at trial.[10][11][12] Two other men, who had received a hung jury at the first trial, were later found guilty of kidnapping conspiracy and conspiracy to possess weapons of mass destruction. One of those men was also convicted of another explosives charge.[13]
Three other men were later convicted of felony counts of gang membership, providing material support to terrorism, and illegal weapons possession in the first state trial stemming from the case.[14][15] Two more defendants pleaded guilty at a later trial to providing or attempting to provide material support, whereas three others were acquitted.[16]
The defense has argued that this is a case of entrapment.[17] The defense claimed to have identified twelve FBI informants. They contend that the entire plot was fabricated by federal agents.
- ^ Egan, Paul; Baldas, Tresa (October 8, 2020). "'Deeply disturbing': Feds charge six militia members in domestic terror plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- ^ Leone, Jared (October 8, 2020). "FBI thwarts militia plot to kidnap Michigan governor". WSOC-TV. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- ^ Snell, Robert; Burke, Melissa Nann. "Plans to kidnap Whitmer, overthrow government spoiled, officials say". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- ^ a b Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas; Dewan, Shaila; Gray, Kathleen (October 8, 2020). "F.B.I. Says Michigan Anti-Government Group Plotted to Kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- ^ Amman, Molly; Meloy, Reid (October 2021). "Incitement to Violence and Stochastic Terrorism: Legal, Academic, and Practical Parameters for Researchers and Investigators". Terrorism and Political Violence. 15 (5). Terrorism Research Initiative: 2–13. doi:10.1080/09546553.2022.2143352. ISSN 0954-6553. S2CID 254907232 – via JSTOR.
- ^ Nelson, Bryn (November 5, 2022). "Opinion: How Stochastic Terrorism Uses Disgust to Incite Violence". Scientific American. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Amman, Molly; Meloy, J. Reid (2021). "Stochastic Terrorism: A Linguistic and Psychological Analysis". Perspectives on Terrorism. 15 (5): 2–13. ISSN 2334-3745. JSTOR 27073433. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ Garrison, Jessica (July 13, 2021). "FBI Allegedly Had 12 Informants In Michigan Kidnapping Case". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
14thwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
pleawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
notguiltywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Second Conspirator In Kidnapping Plot Who Cooperated Gets Four Years In Prison". www.justice.gov. October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
2nd trialwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ White, Ed (October 26, 2022). "3 men convicted of supporting plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer". AP NEWS. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- ^ "Three of the men involved in the plot to kidnap Michigan governor sentenced to prison". NBC News. December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ Livingston, Michael (December 7, 2023). "In Antrim County, 2 sentenced for plot to kidnap Michigan's governor". Interlochen Public Radio.
- ^ "Lawyers: FBI lured men for Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot". March 9, 2022.
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