MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *8 guilty, 5 NG*

[Niner]

Wisconsin man charged in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot to change plea

A Wisconsin man who drove past the vacation home of Michigan’s governor during a scheme to kidnap her in 2020 is returning to court to change his not-guilty plea, records show.

www.fox2detroit.com

A Wisconsin man who drove past the vacation home of Michigan’s governor during a scheme to kidnap her in 2020 is returning to court to change his not-guilty plea, records show.

Brian Higgins is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday in Antrim County court in Bellaire, Michigan.

Thanks! I guess we will have to wait for a couple of days for the outcome of this hearing.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Thanks! I guess we will have to wait for a couple of days for the outcome of this hearing.

The court’s register of actions shows the plea hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. today with Judge Charles Hamlyn presiding.

Plea hearing today in Whitmer kidnap-plot case

BELLAIRE — Brian Higgins, one of five men charged in Antrim County with participating in a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor, was scheduled to appear at a plea hearing this

www.record-eagle.com

 

[Niner]

The court’s register of actions shows the plea hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. today with Judge Charles Hamlyn presiding.

Plea hearing today in Whitmer kidnap-plot case

BELLAIRE — Brian Higgins, one of five men charged in Antrim County with participating in a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor, was scheduled to appear at a plea hearing this

www.record-eagle.com

Thanks for that additional info! Correcting my notes.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Thanks for that additional info! Correcting my notes.

A Wisconsin man who took a reconnaissance trip to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s summer home pleaded guilty Wednesday, March 15, and agreed to cooperate with authorities in an alleged plot to kidnap the governor.

Brian Higgins, 54, of Wisconsin Dells, pleaded guilty in Antrim County Circuit Court to attempting to provide material support for terrorism, a potential five-year felony, AP reported. He had faced a 20-year charge.
He and four others were accused of providing support to an alleged plot to kidnap the governor. He admitted driving by Whitmer’s Elk Rapids lakefront home.

The others face trial later this year.

Wisconsin man pleads in alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Brian Higgins, 54, of Wisconsin Dells, drove others on a reconnaissance mission to Gov. Whitmer's summer home but later backed out the alleged kidnapping plot.

www.mlive.com

 

[Niner]

A Wisconsin man who took a reconnaissance trip to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s summer home pleaded guilty Wednesday, March 15, and agreed to cooperate with authorities in an alleged plot to kidnap the governor.

Brian Higgins, 54, of Wisconsin Dells, pleaded guilty in Antrim County Circuit Court to attempting to provide material support for terrorism, a potential five-year felony, AP reported. He had faced a 20-year charge.
He and four others were accused of providing support to an alleged plot to kidnap the governor. He admitted driving by Whitmer’s Elk Rapids lakefront home.

The others face trial later this year.

Wisconsin man pleads in alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Brian Higgins, 54, of Wisconsin Dells, drove others on a reconnaissance mission to Gov. Whitmer's summer home but later backed out the alleged kidnapping plot.

www.mlive.com

I have separated Higgins from the rest of the bunch. So he will probably sentenced once he testifies against the others I am assuming. I guess you could call this a plea agreement.

Nothing on what happened on 3/13 with the other 4?

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, March 15th:
*Plea Hearing (@ 10am CT) – MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Brian Higgins (51/now 54) of Wisconsin Dells, WI. arrested & charged (10/15/20) with material support of an act of terrorism. Was extradited to Antrim County. Wisconsin: Bail $10K Cash (10/19/20 paid cash-released w/GPS tracking monitor). No longer on GPS (9/16/22).
Trial was set to begin on 8/21/23 but Higgins plead guilty on 3/15/23 & will be cooperating with authorities.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 2/12/23 reference post #798 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-40
2/15/23 Update: ALL: Antrim County Circuit Court Judge Kevin A. Eisenheimer approved two motions. The motions, which the State filed, asked to join the cases for trial & to admit coconspirator statements. However the defendants all filed either objections or responses to the State’s motion to consolidate. “These statements will provide the jury with more detail as to what happened during the commission of the crimes charged,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “I am grateful Judge Elsenheimer has permitted the coconspirators’ statements to be heard at trial.” The next court date is Monday, 3/13/23, when the court will consider a motion to hear arguments about an order regarding Kaleb Franks, a witness in custody. A habeas corpus hearing for William Null case will also take place on 3/13/23. Brian Higgins to change his not-guilty plea. Higgins is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday 3/15/23 in Antrim County court. He was charged in northern Michigan with providing material support for an act of terrorism. It wasn’t immediately known if he has been offered a deal with a lesser charge.
3/15/23 Update: Higgins: The court’s register of actions shows the plea hearing is scheduled to begin at 10am with Judge Charles Hamlyn presiding. Higgins plead guilty in Antrim County Circuit Court to attempting to provide material support for terrorism, a potential five-year felony; He had faced a 20-year charge ^ agreed to cooperate with authorities in an alleged plot to kidnap the governor.

 

[JerseyGirl]

I have separated Higgins from the rest of the bunch. So he will probably sentenced once he testifies against the others I am assuming. I guess you could call this a plea agreement.

Nothing on what happened on 3/13 with the other 4?

Nothing in the news about the other 4.

 

[Niner]

Nothing in the news about the other 4.

Thanks! At least I got one gone...

 

[Niner]

@JerseyGirl - wondering if you are finding any recent articles for the 4 in Antrim county.
I am only finding the most current for 3/14/23 & that was regarding Higgins appearing in court & pleading guilty.

TIA!

 

[Niner]

Just bumping up this thread - maybe a court hearing before trial in August?

 

[Niner]

@JerseyGirl = finding anything that they might have a hearing in May sometime?

TIA!

 

[JerseyGirl]

@JerseyGirl = finding anything that they might have a hearing in May sometime?

TIA!

No updates. I found this from 2 weeks ago:

Nessel shuts down question from freelance journalist, refuses release of so-called Wolverine Watchmen court exhibits

Freelance journalist Eric VanDussen asks AG Nessel about denial of FOIA requests for court exhibits in the Antrim County Whitmer kidnapping trial during a FOIA public forum on April 14 at the Traverse Area District Library.

www.petoskeynews.com

Freelance journalist Eric VanDussen asks AG Nessel about denial of FOIA requests for court exhibits in the Antrim County Whitmer kidnapping trial during a FOIA public forum on April 14 at the Traverse Area District Library.

 

[Niner]

@JerseyGirl - just a bump in case there might be a hearing before trial on 8/21/23.

TIA!

 

[JerseyGirl]

@JerseyGirl - just a bump in case there might be a hearing before trial on 8/21/23.

TIA!

We actually do have an update:

A final pre-trial status conference is scheduled for Aug. 15; jury selection is scheduled to begin Aug. 21.

Governor kidnap plot case could make case law

BELLAIRE — Criminal cases filed in state court against four men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer may hinge, at least in part, on how the court interprets

www.record-eagle.com

 

[Niner]

We actually do have an update:

A final pre-trial status conference is scheduled for Aug. 15; jury selection is scheduled to begin Aug. 21.

Governor kidnap plot case could make case law

BELLAIRE — Criminal cases filed in state court against four men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer may hinge, at least in part, on how the court interprets

www.record-eagle.com

Thanks! Looks like they had a hearing on 5/17/23. I shall go ahead & put them on 8/15/23.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Man Pleads Guilty to Assisting in Plot to Kidnap Gov. Whitmer

www.9and10news.com

A man accused of aiding a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pleaded guilty Wednesday, the ninth conviction in state and federal courts since agents broke up an astonishing scheme by anti-government rebels in 2020.

Shawn Fix said he provided material support for an act of terrorism, namely the strategy to snatch Whitmer at her vacation home in Antrim County. Prosecutors agreed to drop a weapon charge.

Fix trained with a militia, the Wolverine Watchmen, for “politically motivated violence,” prosecutors have said, and hosted a five-hour meeting at his Belleville home where there was much discussion about kidnapping Whitmer.

He appeared in an Antrim County court, one of five people charged in that leg of the investigation. A co-defendant pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in March, leaving three other men to face trial in August.

Fix, who faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, agreed to testify if called by prosecutors.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, August 15th:
*Final Pretrial Hearing (all) (State case-Antrim County) (@ am CT) – MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Eric Molitor (36/now 38) of Cadillac arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/8/20) with providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bond set at $250K (10% cash or surety). Bond reduced (1/13/21) to $100K (10% cash or surety). Out on bond (1/13/21) with GPS monitor & other conditions. No longer on GPS (9/16/22).
*Michael Null (38/now 40) of Plainwell arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/8/20) with providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Cash bond of $250K. Bond reduced (12/16/20) to 10%, cash or surety. Bond was posted, out of jail (1/13/21). Remains on electronic monitoring. No longer on GPS (9/16/22).
*William Null (38/now 40) of Shelbyville arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/8/20) with providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Cash bond of $250K. Bond reduced (12/16/20) to 10% cash or surety. Bond was posted & is out of jail (1/13/21). Remains on electronic monitoring. No longer on GPS (9/16/22).
*Shawn Michael Fix (38/now 40) - 6/7/23: Fix plead guilty to providing material support for an act of terrorism, namely the strategy to snatch Whitmer at her vacation home in Antrim County. Prosecutors agreed to drop a weapon charge. Fix acknowledged helping plot leader Adam Fox pinpoint the location of Whitmer’s home, key information that was used for a 2020 ride to find the property in northern Michigan. Fix, who faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, agreed to testify if called by prosecutors.
*Brian Higgins (51/now 54) – 3/15/23: Higgins plead guilty in Antrim County Circuit Court to attempting to provide material support for terrorism, a potential five-year felony; he had faced a 20-year charge & agreed to cooperate with authorities in an alleged plot to kidnap the governor.
Trial set to begin on 8/21/23 with jury selection. (Trial thru 9/11/23) Prosecutors: William Rollstin, John Pallas, Phillip Jacques & Daniel Grano.
13th Circuit Court Judge Kevin Eisenheimer assigned Fix & Nulls’ case. 13th Circuit Court Judge Charles Hamlyn assigned Molitor’s.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 2/12/23 reference post #798 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-40
2/15/23 Update: ALL: Antrim County Circuit Court Judge Kevin A. Eisenheimer approved two motions. The motions, which the State filed, asked to join the cases for trial & to admit coconspirator statements. However the defendants all filed either objections or responses to the State’s motion to consolidate. “These statements will provide the jury with more detail as to what happened during the commission of the crimes charged,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “I am grateful Judge Elsenheimer has permitted the coconspirators’ statements to be heard at trial.” The next court date is Monday, 3/13/23, when the court will consider a motion to hear arguments about an order regarding Kaleb Franks, a witness in custody. A habeas corpus hearing for William Null case will also take place on 3/13/23. Brian Higgins to change his not-guilty plea. Higgins is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday 3/15/23 in Antrim County court. He was charged in northern Michigan with providing material support for an act of terrorism. It wasn’t immediately known if he has been offered a deal with a lesser charge.
3/15/23 Update: Higgins: The court’s register of actions shows the plea hearing is scheduled to begin at 10am with Judge Charles Hamlyn presiding. Higgins plead guilty in Antrim County Circuit Court to attempting to provide material support for terrorism, a potential five-year felony; He had faced a 20-year charge ^ agreed to cooperate with authorities in an alleged plot to kidnap the governor. Higgins won't be sentenced by Judge Charles Hamlyn until after the August 21, 2023 trial of his four co-defendants. His cooperation could improve his chances for a lighter sentence.
5/17/23 Update: Had Motions hearing. Criminal cases filed in state court against four men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer may hinge, at least in part, on how the court interprets words like “personnel,” “material support” and “expert.” At a hearing Wednesday in 13th Circuit Court J Charles Hamlyn & defense attorneys agreed that defining what exactly those words mean when stated in a felony charge, could involve a higher court. Judge Hamlyn said he is not seeking to make case law regarding the state’s anti-terrorism act & its vocabulary, but would not shy away from wrestling with questions raised. The judge invited defense attorneys to make filings on terms “which may be the focus of the parties” and said he’d rule on those issues if & when they trigger a hearing. Judge Hamlyn also on Wednesday denied a motion by the State attorney general’s office to take the jury on a tour of six locations — Whitmer’s summer home on Birch Lake, the nearby street, the Birch Lake boat launch, a U.S. 31 bridge near Elk Rapids, the Oasis Red Bull Tavern & the Elk Rapids Police Dept. — as unnecessary. The judge also denied motions by the defense to quash certain exhibits & dismiss the charges, and denied a motion filed by Michael Null’s attorney, Thomas Siver, to disqualify the state AG’s office from prosecuting the case. A final pretrial status conference is scheduled for 8/15/23 & jury selection is scheduled to begin 8/21/23.
6/7/23 Update: Shawn Fix plead guilty Wednesday, the ninth conviction in State & Federal courts since agents broke up an astonishing scheme by anti-government rebels in 2020. Fix said he provided material support for an act of terrorism, namely the strategy to snatch Whitmer at her vacation home in Antrim County. Prosecutors agreed to drop a weapon charge. Fix acknowledged helping plot leader Adam Fox pinpoint the location of Whitmer’s home, key information that was used for a 2020 ride to find the property in northern Michigan. “Guilty,” Fix told the judge. He appeared in an Antrim County court, one of five people charged in that leg of the investigation. A co-defendant pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in March, leaving three other men to face trial in August. Fix, who faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, agreed to testify if called by prosecutors.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Michigan man with ties to Whitmer kidnap plotters pleads guilty in U.S. Capitol riot case

According to prosecutors, Matthew Krol of Linden grabbed a baton from a police officer and began using it as a weapon in the riot outside the Capitol.

www.freep.com

A Michigan man accused of assaulting police officers while participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol pleaded guilty Tuesday to one felony count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers while using a dangerous weapon.

Matthew Thomas Krol, 64, of Linden, is to be sentenced Dec. 15 by U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras in Washington, D.C.

Krol, who also admitted to having ties to the men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has been in custody since his Michigan arrest on Feb. 22, 2022. Krol messaged one of them about apprehending and hanging "tyrants," prosecutors said.

 

[Niner]

Michigan man with ties to Whitmer kidnap plotters pleads guilty in U.S. Capitol riot case

According to prosecutors, Matthew Krol of Linden grabbed a baton from a police officer and began using it as a weapon in the riot outside the Capitol.

www.freep.com

A Michigan man accused of assaulting police officers while participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol pleaded guilty Tuesday to one felony count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers while using a dangerous weapon.

Matthew Thomas Krol, 64, of Linden, is to be sentenced Dec. 15 by U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras in Washington, D.C.

Krol, who also admitted to having ties to the men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has been in custody since his Michigan arrest on Feb. 22, 2022. Krol messaged one of them about apprehending and hanging "tyrants," prosecutors said.

I do not have this guy even listed on my notes...

Nothing about the hearing yesterday on Molitor & the Null bros? TIA!

 

[JerseyGirl]

I do not have this guy even listed on my notes...

Nothing about the hearing yesterday on Molitor & the Null bros? TIA!

Krol was an acquaintance, not charged.

Three defendants in Whitmer kidnap plot trial enter not guilty pleas

Three defendants accused of plotting to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer at her vacation home in Antrim County in 2020 entered not guilty pleas on Tuesday.

upnorthlive.com

Also, found this from 2 weeks ago:

Eric Molitor and brothers Michael and William Null pleaded not guilty to charges of providing material support for terrorist acts and possessing a firearm while committing a felony.

Brian Higgins pleaded guilty in March to a charge of attempting to provide material support of terrorism, and Shawn Fix pleaded guilty in June to a charge of providing support for an act of terrorism.

Both Higgins and Fix have agreed to testify against the other defendants in a trial that is scheduled to begin on August 23 at 9 a.m.

Jury selection will begin at 8:30 a.m. on August 21 at the Bellaire High School.