Update: FBI Announces Militia group plotted to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, two charged from Munith

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a speech in Lansing, Mich. on Sept. 16. PHOTO: /ASSOCIATED PRESS

The federal government has charged six people with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in an alleged domestic terrorist plot, according to newly unsealed court records. Throughout the day Thursday, Oct. 8, the Attourney Genneral’s office announced a total of 13 people charged in the plot, including 2 from Munith

Members of a militia group purchased weapons, conducted surveillance and held training and planning meetings, but were foiled in part because the FBI was able to infiltrate the group with informants, according to charges officials detailed in a press conference Thursday, Oct. 8.

Plans included kidnapping Whitmer, taking her across state lines into Wisconsin and putting her on trial for treason, assaulting the Michigan State Capitol, countering law enforcement first responders and using “Molotov cocktails” to destroy police vehicles. officials alleged.

Charged in the U.S. District Court in the western district of Michigan are: Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta, according to a criminal complaint. They are charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, according to the complaint.

In addition to those charges, seven members of the militia were charged:

Paul Bellar, 21, of Milford, was charged with providing material support for terrorist acts, gang membership and a felony firearm violation.

Shawn Fix, 38, of Belleville; Eric Molitor, 36, of Cadillac; Michael Null, 38, of Plainwell; and William Null, 38, of Shelbyville, were each charged with providing material support for terrorist acts and a felony firearm violation.

Pete Musico, 42, and Joseph Morrison, 42, who live together in Munith, were each charged with threat of terrorism, gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts and a felony firearm violation. Musico and Morrison were expected to be arraigned at 2 p.m. Thursday in Jackson County after a standoff in Munith.

All are residents of Michigan except Croft, who is a resident of Delaware, the complaint alleges.

According to a newly released sworn affidavit, the FBI became aware early in 2020, through social media, that a militia group was “discussing the violent overthrow of certain government and law enforcement components,” and “agreed to take violent action.”

Members of the group talked about “murdering … tyrants” or “taking” a sitting governor, according to the affidavit. One of the relevant meetings the FBI monitored was held June 20 in Grand Rapids. the affidavit alleges.

On June 28, 2020, Fox, Garbin, Franks and Caserta attended a tactical training excerise at the Munith residence of a militia-group member, according to the affidavit. After the training, Franks left the residence, but others, including Fox, Garbin and Caserta remained. The affidavit states they were instructed to leave if they were not willing to participate in attacks against the government and in kidnapping politicians. According to the document, everyone  stayed for the rest of the meeting. Franks is reported to have left just before the conclusion of the meeting, although it is not believe to be related to the earlier ultimatum.

Discussions included using 200 men to “storm” the Capitol Building in Lansing, kidnap hostages, including, Whitmer and try the governor for treason, according to the affidavit.

The group met for field exercises and training this year and conducted surveillance of the governor’s vacation home on at least two occasions in late August and September, the affidavit alleges. They also purchased an 800,000-volt Taser and night goggles for use in the kidnapping plot, according to court records. Members of the plot said they wanted to complete the kidnapping before the Nov. 3 election, according to the affidavit.

The Michigan militia group involved in the plot was called the Wolverine Watchmen, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said at the news conference.

The FBI used confidential informants as part of the investigation and has paid one of them more than $14,000 and paid $8,600 to another, according to the affidavit.

The sworn affidavit is linked below. It includes a full detailing

Governor Whitmer is expected to speak about the kidnapping plot during a news conference at 3 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 8. The video will be streamed live here.

WARNING: Explicit language. Viewer discretion advised.

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