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

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  • #261
Jan 16 2021 rbbm.
Trial date set in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan governor
''GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A federal judge has set a March 23 trial date for six men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan's governor in what authorities say was a plot by anti-government extremists who were angry over her coronavirus policies.

Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker in Grand Rapids set the date Friday.

The six defendants face a conspiracy charge that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.''
 
  • #262
I just seen on my local news wspa.com where the defendant named Garbin plead guilty this morning.
 
  • #263
worm said:
I just seen on my local news wspa.com where the defendant named Garbin plead guilty this morning.
Click to expand...
Early bird gets the worm... Sounds like he listened to his attorney.
 
  • #264
  • #265
  • #266
Seattle1 said:
Early bird gets the worm... Sounds like he listened to his attorney.
Click to expand...

worm said:
My thoughts exactly.
Click to expand...

Ty Garbin’s guilty plea is a major catch for prosecutors, only about four months after arrests were made. His testimony could strengthen the government’s case against the others and back up evidence collected by informants and undercover agents.

Garbin appeared in federal court in Grand Rapids a few hours after a plea agreement loaded with details about the operation was filed, including his pledge to fully cooperate with investigators. There was no agreement on a sentencing range, but his assistance could help him when he returns July 8.

1/27/2021
Man pleads guilty in conspiracy to kidnap Michigan governor

@Niner
 
  • #267
What cowards they are. Wanting and thinking that they could kidnap a woman who tried to tell them what they could do. I bet that they had other plans to teach her who is boss.
 
  • #268
Seattle1 said:
Ty Garbin’s guilty plea is a major catch for prosecutors, only about four months after arrests were made. His testimony could strengthen the government’s case against the others and back up evidence collected by informants and undercover agents.

Garbin appeared in federal court in Grand Rapids a few hours after a plea agreement loaded with details about the operation was filed, including his pledge to fully cooperate with investigators. There was no agreement on a sentencing range, but his assistance could help him when he returns July 8.

1/27/2021
Man pleads guilty in conspiracy to kidnap Michigan governor

@Niner
Click to expand...
What did these men think was going to happen when they kidnapped the Governor? Did they really think that she was going to say 'Ok, I am scared, I will stop all the restrictions'.
 
  • #269
Thanks @Seattle1 for the "tag" - so nothing on court dates for the others? I have their trial on 3/23, but I would think they would have a court hearing before than.

TIA! :)
Surgery went smoothly! I'm still here - and ALIVE! My right carotid artery was block 90% - all fixed. Now for my left one....
 
  • #270
I think Garbin pleading & cooperating will really weaken any arguments the other defendants try to make about it being "just talk". Which is a good thing. I do not for one hot second think this was "just talk".
 
  • #271
Niner said:
Thanks @Seattle1 for the "tag" - so nothing on court dates for the others? I have their trial on 3/23, but I would think they would have a court hearing before than.

TIA! :)
Surgery went smoothly! I'm still here - and ALIVE! My right carotid artery was block 90% - all fixed. Now for my left one....
Click to expand...

That's great news for you and glad it was caught in time! Wait too long or if the artery is 100% occluded there's nothing they can do for you.

I don't expect trial news about others with this report because this defendant was the early bird and didn't wait for a hearing to begin talking to his attorney and now he will be a state witness.
 
  • #272
Federal judge delays trial in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping case

The move by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker to reschedule the trial from March to Oct. 12 in federal court in Grand Rapids follows a request from defendant Brandon Caserta who cited voluminous evidence amassed during the FBI investigation. That evidence includes thousands of hours of recorded audio, more than 13,000 pages of encrypted text messages, videos and reports from undercover FBI agents and informants.
 
  • #273
Wednesday, February 17th:
*Preliminary Hearings (State case-Antrim County) (@ am CT) – MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Eric Molitor (36) 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).
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 10/28/20 reference post #232 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020
12/2/20 Update: Next preliminary hearing on 12/16/20. 12/16/20 Update: Preliminary hearing was rescheduled to 2/17/21 & if necessary on 2/18/21.
*Michael Null (38) 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.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 10/28/20 reference post #232 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020
12/2/20 Update: Next preliminary hearing on 12/16/20. 12/16/20 Update: In court on Wednesday, Michael Null had their $250K cash bonds reduced to the point where they could post 10%, cash or surety. Both men posted the bond. During the hearing, Attorney Tom Siver argued that the twins should be released immediately, and said that it the trial was in the wrong county. He argued the twins never left a Walmart parking lot in Cadillac. An assistant attorney general argued the brothers were being driven to do surveillance on Whitmer's summer home, and that they didn't want to turn back & did leave the parking lot. Preliminary hearing was rescheduled to 2/17/21 & if necessary on 2/18/21.
*William Null (38) 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.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 10/28/20 reference post #232 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020
12/2/20 Update: Next preliminary hearing on 12/16/20. 12/16/20 Update: In court on Wednesday, William Null had their $250K cash bonds reduced to the point where they could post 10%, cash or surety. Both men posted the bond. During the hearing, Attorney Tom Siver argued that the twins should be released immediately, and said that it the trial was in the wrong county. He argued the twins never left a Walmart parking lot in Cadillac. An assistant attorney general argued the brothers were being driven to do surveillance on Whitmer's summer home, and that they didn't want to turn back & did leave the parking lot. Preliminary hearing was rescheduled to 2/17/21 & if necessary on 2/18/21.
*Shawn Michael Fix (38) of Belleville arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Plead not guilty. $250K cash/surety bond. Bond out on 11/10/20.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 10/28/20 reference post #232 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020
12/2/20 Update: Next preliminary hearing on 12/16/20. 12/16/20 Update: Preliminary hearing was rescheduled to 2/17/21 & if necessary on 2/18/21.
*Brian Higgins (51) of Wisconsin Dells, WI. arrested & charged (10/15/20) with material support of an act of terrorism. Will be extradited to Antrim County. Wisconsin: Bail $10K Cash (10/19/20 paid cash-released).
Court info from 10/15/20 thru 10/19/20 reference post #232 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020
11/18/20 Update: Higgins is planning to challenge his extradition to Michigan, his lawyer said Wednesday. Michigan’s extradition paperwork for Higgins of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, is improper because it was signed by Whitmer, the target of the alleged plot, Higgins’ lawyer argued in a court filing in advance of Wednesday's status conference in Columbia County Circuit Court in Wisconsin. “To put it more bluntly, the requisition was signed in an official capacity by someone with a clear, undeniable conflict of interest in the case against Higgins: the Michigan (governor), who as the named alleged victim has a direct and utterly undeniable personal interest in this matter,” Higgins’ attorney, Christopher Van Wagner, wrote in the filing. Despite Higgins’ objections to his extradition, he was to be processed after Wednesday's hearing by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office & held in custody until a bond hearing on Thursday, 11/19/20. No update as of 2/17/21.
 
  • #274
Judge in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot deals feds a setback

Hartland Township resident Ty Garbin, 25, pleaded guilty to kidnapping conspiracy and agreed to help prosecutors — and testify in front of grand juries.

Thirteen other people are charged in connection with the plot. The kidnapping conspiracy charge is punishable by up to life in federal prison, and Garbin will be sentenced July 8.

@Niner
 
  • #275
Even before the cooperating witness, I've long been surprised that the federal prosecutor's strategy here really seemed dependant on their having blanket access to shared info. :eek:

Judge in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot deals feds a setback

Feb 17, 2021

[Judge] Jonker had other concerns with the government's request to share grand jury testimony. Prosecutors failed to specify which information they wanted to share with the state.

"The government appears to be asking for blanket permission to disclose to the state any grand jury testimony already taken, or that may be taken as the grand jury continues its own investigation," Jonker wrote. "The kind of blanket permission would turn the federal grand jury into 'an arm of the state...'"

The judge's order is the latest legal development since Jonker delayed the trial to give defense lawyers more time to analyze evidence. That evidence includes thousands of hours of recorded audio, more than 13,000 pages of encrypted text messages, videos and reports from undercover FBI agents and informants.

Prosecutors say the men charged in state and federal court were motivated by anger over state restrictions on travel and business during the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal court defendants facing federal kidnapping conspiracy charges were part of a broader attempt to spark a civil war by overthrowing the government and kill police personnel, according to the government.

Defense lawyers have portrayed their clients as tough talkers who were exercising their First Amendment rights who never carried out any kidnapping plot.
 
  • #276
Since I can't access Antrim County - not too sure IF this was continued to today, but will post it anyway - just in case.

Thursday, Feb. 18th:
*Preliminary Hearings (Day 2) (State case-Antrim County) (@ am CT) – MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Eric Molitor (36) 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).
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 10/28/20 reference post #232 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020
12/2/20 Update: Next preliminary hearing on 12/16/20. 12/16/20 Update: Preliminary hearing was rescheduled to 2/17/21 & if necessary on 2/18/21. 2/17/21 Update: A Grand Rapids federal judge Tuesday refused to let prosecutors share secret grand jury testimony with state prosecutors who are trying to convict eight men on terrorism charges related to the alleged plot to kidnap & harm Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said federal prosecutors failed to justify the need to share the privileged testimony central to a case that has shed light on violent extremism in Michigan. Jonker had other concerns with the government's request to share grand jury testimony. Prosecutors failed to specify which information they wanted to share with the state. Maybe continued to 2/18/21.
*Michael Null (38) 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.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 10/28/20 reference post #232 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020
12/2/20 Update: Next preliminary hearing on 12/16/20. 12/16/20 Update: In court on Wednesday, Michael Null had their $250K cash bonds reduced to the point where they could post 10%, cash or surety. Both men posted the bond. During the hearing, Attorney Tom Siver argued that the twins should be released immediately, and said that it the trial was in the wrong county. He argued the twins never left a Walmart parking lot in Cadillac. An assistant attorney general argued the brothers were being driven to do surveillance on Whitmer's summer home, and that they didn't want to turn back & did leave the parking lot. Preliminary hearing was rescheduled to 2/17/21 & if necessary on 2/18/21.
2/17/21 Update: A Grand Rapids federal judge Tuesday refused to let prosecutors share secret grand jury testimony with state prosecutors who are trying to convict eight men on terrorism charges related to the alleged plot to kidnap & harm Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said federal prosecutors failed to justify the need to share the privileged testimony central to a case that has shed light on violent extremism in Michigan. Jonker had other concerns with the government's request to share grand jury testimony. Prosecutors failed to specify which information they wanted to share with the state. Maybe continued to 2/18/21.
*William Null (38) 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.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 10/28/20 reference post #232 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020
12/2/20 Update: Next preliminary hearing on 12/16/20. 12/16/20 Update: In court on Wednesday, William Null had their $250K cash bonds reduced to the point where they could post 10%, cash or surety. Both men posted the bond. During the hearing, Attorney Tom Siver argued that the twins should be released immediately, and said that it the trial was in the wrong county. He argued the twins never left a Walmart parking lot in Cadillac. An assistant attorney general argued the brothers were being driven to do surveillance on Whitmer's summer home, and that they didn't want to turn back & did leave the parking lot. Preliminary hearing was rescheduled to 2/17/21 & if necessary on 2/18/21.
2/17/21 Update: A Grand Rapids federal judge Tuesday refused to let prosecutors share secret grand jury testimony with state prosecutors who are trying to convict eight men on terrorism charges related to the alleged plot to kidnap & harm Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said federal prosecutors failed to justify the need to share the privileged testimony central to a case that has shed light on violent extremism in Michigan. Jonker had other concerns with the government's request to share grand jury testimony. Prosecutors failed to specify which information they wanted to share with the state. Maybe continued to 2/18/21.
*Shawn Michael Fix (38) of Belleville arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Plead not guilty. $250K cash/surety bond. Bond out on 11/10/20.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 10/28/20 reference post #232 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020
12/2/20 Update: Next preliminary hearing on 12/16/20. 12/16/20 Update: Preliminary hearing was rescheduled to 2/17/21 & if necessary on 2/18/21. 2/17/21 Update: A Grand Rapids federal judge Tuesday refused to let prosecutors share secret grand jury testimony with state prosecutors who are trying to convict eight men on terrorism charges related to the alleged plot to kidnap & harm Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said federal prosecutors failed to justify the need to share the privileged testimony central to a case that has shed light on violent extremism in Michigan. Jonker had other concerns with the government's request to share grand jury testimony. Prosecutors failed to specify which information they wanted to share with the state. Maybe continued to 2/18/21.
*Brian Higgins (51) of Wisconsin Dells, WI. arrested & charged (10/15/20) with material support of an act of terrorism. Will be extradited to Antrim County. Wisconsin: Bail $10K Cash (10/19/20 paid cash-released).
Court info from 10/15/20 thru 10/19/20 reference post #232 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020
11/18/20 Update: Higgins is planning to challenge his extradition to Michigan, his lawyer said Wednesday. Michigan’s extradition paperwork for Higgins of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, is improper because it was signed by Whitmer, the target of the alleged plot, Higgins’ lawyer argued in a court filing in advance of Wednesday's status conference in Columbia County Circuit Court in Wisconsin. “To put it more bluntly, the requisition was signed in an official capacity by someone with a clear, undeniable conflict of interest in the case against Higgins: the Michigan (governor), who as the named alleged victim has a direct and utterly undeniable personal interest in this matter,” Higgins’ attorney, Christopher Van Wagner, wrote in the filing. Despite Higgins’ objections to his extradition, he was to be processed after Wednesday's hearing by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office & held in custody until a bond hearing on Thursday, 11/19/20.
 
  • #277
@JerseyGirl - any updated articles on the hearing from yesterday? Of course, I'm only getting old articles over here & have no access to the Antrim County court site.

TIA!
animated-smileys-waving-016.gif
 
  • #278
  • #279
Just bumping up - @JerseyGirl - anything updated for the Antrim County cases?

TIA! :)
 
  • #280
Niner said:
Just bumping up - @JerseyGirl - anything updated for the Antrim County cases?

TIA! :)
Click to expand...

Judge won’t let feds share Whitmer kidnapping plot grand jury testimony with AG

Four suspects being prosecuted in Antrim County -- Shawn Fix, 38, of Belleville; Eric Molitor, 36, of Cadillac; Michael Null, 38, of Plainwell; and William Null, 38, of Shelbyville -- were recently granted a 60-day adjournment with new preliminary examination dates pending.

Defense attorneys said they needed more time to review evidence that’s yet to be turned over by the Attorney General’s Office. The awaited information was expected to be turned over to the defense within two weeks.

Brian Higgins, 52, is another suspect charged in Antrim County, but he is currently fighting extradition from his home in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

The remaining state defendants, Paul Bellar, 21, of Milford, and roommates Pete Musico, 42, and Joseph Morrison, 26, of Munith, are charged in Jackson County and scheduled for a preliminary examination on March 3.
 
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