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

[Niner]

Here's an article for Friday's testimony.

FBI informant who helped FBI crack Whitmer kidnapping case said he feared suspects

and this one from yesterday, 3/21.

Suspect text: "When's lynching? in Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot

Mar. 21, 2022

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WWMT) — Attorneys for the four suspects charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed back on the FBI's most crucial witness to date.

During the trial Monday, kidnapping plot mastermind Adam Fox's attorney Christopher Gibbons cross-examined the FBI's informant known as "Big Dan" or Dan Chappel.

Under cross examination, Chappel said he pushed for Fox to do the first reconnaissance of the governor's cottage in Elk Rapids in late August 2020.
[.....]
A FBI agent Mark Schweer and Chapel's testimony recounted potentially damaging statements made by the defendants from audio recordings and text messages obtained on secret recording devices.
[.....]
The former Army Sargent said he wanted to find a group for military-style training when a Facebook algorithm suggested the Wolverine Watchmen in March 2020. Dan said days after joining, he told law enforcement about the group was talking about killing police officers.

"They wanted to do a reverse red flag and kill law enforcement officers," Big Dan testified Friday.

Attorneys have been critical of “Dan,” who the FBI paid $54,000, including $6,000 in expenses for his work over six to seven months.
[.....]
Chappel said he recorded conversations during meetings, training exercises and social gatherings.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, March 22nd:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (Federal case) (@ 10am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Adam Dean Fox (38/now 39) (born 1983) of Grand Rapids, *Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. (44/now 45) (no birth date given) from Bear, Delaware (waiting to be extradited to MI), *Daniel Joseph Harris (23/now 24) (born 1997) of Lake Orion & *Brandon Michael-Ray Caserta (32/now 33) (born 1988) of Canton arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. All plead not guilty (12/17/20).
*Adam Dean Fox additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail and any responding law enforcement officers.
*Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law.
*Daniel Joseph Harris additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law. Harris is alleged to have possessed, between July 10, 2020 & Sept. 13, 2020, an Anderson Manufacturing, Model AM-15, .223/5.56 mm caliber semiautomatic assault rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches in length that was not registered to him.
Trial began on 3/8/22 with jury selection & trial began on 3/9/22. (expected to last 4-5 weeks). 12 jurors & 6 alternates. 3/17/22: 1 juror missing (out sick), replaced by alternate. 12 Jurors & 5 alternates. The trial was interrupted due to COVID from 3/11 to 3/16/22.
Criminal Complaint & court info from 10/9/20 thru 3/13/22 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/8/22) & Trial Day 1-4 (Week 1) (3/9 to 3/10 & 3/17 to 3/18/22) reference post #479 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *2 guilty*
3/21/22 Monday, Trial Day 5 (start of week 2): Government witnesses: Dan "Big Dan" Chapel, informant on cross examination.
For more info see post #481 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *2 guilty*
Trial continues on 3/22/22.
*Ty Gerard Garbin (24) - plead guilty (1/27/21) to kidnapping conspiracy & was sentenced (8/25/21) to 6 years & 3 months in Federal prison. Garbin will testify at the trial of the other defendants. Lengthy testimony & repeated debriefings have been critical in building a case to counter defense arguments that revolve around free speech issues as well as accusations of entrapment by federal undercover informants, Nils R. Kessler, the lead U.S. attorney on the case.
Kaleb James Franks (26) – Plead guilty (2/7/22) to kidnapping conspiracy. Will testify at trial & will be sentencing afterwards.
(State: for Antrim County on 4/14/21 & Jackson County on 8/8/22 & trial starts 9/12/22).

 

[Niner]

Here's another article for Monday's testimony.

Suspect text: "When's lynching? in Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot


sorry - just read the article - it is the same as the one I posted on #481...

 

[MrsWatson]

Recap from today:

https://www.fox17online.com/news/go...an-in-day-7-of-governor-kidnapping-plot-trial

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, March 23rd:
*Trial continues (Day 7) (Federal case) (@ 10am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Adam Dean Fox (38/now 39) (born 1983) of Grand Rapids, *Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. (44/now 45) (no birth date given) from Bear, Delaware (waiting to be extradited to MI), *Daniel Joseph Harris (23/now 24) (born 1997) of Lake Orion & *Brandon Michael-Ray Caserta (32/now 33) (born 1988) of Canton arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. All plead not guilty (12/17/20).
*Adam Dean Fox additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail and any responding law enforcement officers.
*Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law.
*Daniel Joseph Harris additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law. Harris is alleged to have possessed, between July 10, 2020 & Sept. 13, 2020, an Anderson Manufacturing, Model AM-15, .223/5.56 mm caliber semiautomatic assault rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches in length that was not registered to him.
Trial began on 3/8/22 with jury selection & trial began on 3/9/22. (expected to last 4-5 weeks). 12 jurors & 6 alternates. 3/17/22: 1 juror missing (out sick), replaced by alternate. 12 Jurors & 5 alternates. The trial was interrupted due to COVID from 3/11 to 3/16/22.
Criminal Complaint & court info from 10/9/20 thru 3/13/22 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/8/22) & Trial Days 1-4 (Week 1) (3/9 to 3/10 & 3/17 to 3/18/22) & Trial Day 5 (Week 2) (3/21/22) reference post #482 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *2 guilty*
3/22/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 6: Government witnesses: Dan "Big Dan" Chapel, informant continued on cross examination.
for more info see post #484 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *2 guilty*
Trial continues on 3/23/22.
*Ty Gerard Garbin (24) - plead guilty (1/27/21) to kidnapping conspiracy & was sentenced (8/25/21) to 6 years & 3 months in Federal prison. Garbin will testify at the trial of the other defendants. Lengthy testimony & repeated debriefings have been critical in building a case to counter defense arguments that revolve around free speech issues as well as accusations of entrapment by federal undercover informants, Nils R. Kessler, the lead U.S. attorney on the case.
Kaleb James Franks (26) – Plead guilty (2/7/22) to kidnapping conspiracy. Will testify at trial & will be sentencing afterwards.
(State: for Antrim County on 4/14/21 & Jackson County on 8/8/22 & trial starts 9/12/22).

 

[sds71]

Witness: Whitmer kidnapping aimed at stopping Biden win

 

[JerseyGirl]

https://www.fox17online.com/news/go...n-day-8-of-the-governor-kidnapping-plot-trial


Ty Garbin testifies on day 8 of the governor kidnapping plot trial

 

[JerseyGirl]

Feds' star witness Ty Garbin testifies in Whitmer kidnap trial

 

[Niner]

Thursday, March 24th:
*Trial continues (Day 8) (Federal case) (@ 10am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Adam Dean Fox (38/now 39) (born 1983) of Grand Rapids, *Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. (44/now 45) (no birth date given) from Bear, Delaware (waiting to be extradited to MI), *Daniel Joseph Harris (23/now 24) (born 1997) of Lake Orion & *Brandon Michael-Ray Caserta (32/now 33) (born 1988) of Canton arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. All plead not guilty (12/17/20).
*Adam Dean Fox additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail and any responding law enforcement officers.
*Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law.
*Daniel Joseph Harris additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law. Harris is alleged to have possessed, between July 10, 2020 & Sept. 13, 2020, an Anderson Manufacturing, Model AM-15, .223/5.56 mm caliber semiautomatic assault rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches in length that was not registered to him.
Trial began on 3/8/22 with jury selection & trial began on 3/9/22. (expected to last 4-5 weeks). 12 jurors & 6 alternates. 3/17/22: 1 juror missing (out sick), replaced by alternate. 12 Jurors & 5 alternates. The trial was interrupted due to COVID from 3/11 to 3/16/22.
Criminal Complaint & court info from 10/9/20 thru 3/13/22 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/8/22) & Trial Days 1-4 (Week 1) (3/9 to 3/10 & 3/17 to 3/18/22) & Trial Day 5-6 (Week 2) (3/21 to 3/22) reference post #485 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *2 guilty*
3/23/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 7: Government witnesses: Ty Garbin. The prosecution brought out physical evidence Wednesday- including Garbin's full tactical kit: A modified AR-15 rifle with a red dot sight, pistol grip, attached flashlight & threading on the barrel to attach a silencer. The prosecutor showed the jury the rifle, along with a Glock-19, a bulletproof vest, a tactical helmet & a night vision scope.
for more info see post #488 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *2 guilty*
Garbin's testimony resumes Thursday, 3/24/22.
*Ty Gerard Garbin (24) - plead guilty (1/27/21) to kidnapping conspiracy & was sentenced (8/25/21) to 6 years & 3 months in Federal prison. Garbin will testify at the trial of the other defendants. Lengthy testimony & repeated debriefings have been critical in building a case to counter defense arguments that revolve around free speech issues as well as accusations of entrapment by federal undercover informants, Nils R. Kessler, the lead U.S. attorney on the case.
Kaleb James Franks (26) – Plead guilty (2/7/22) to kidnapping conspiracy. Will testify at trial & will be sentencing afterwards.
(State: for Antrim County on 4/14/21 & Jackson County on 8/8/22 & trial starts 9/12/22).

 

[Niner]

For 3/24/22:

Group Wanted to Kidnap Michigan Governor and Block Biden’s Election, Plotter Says

 

[Niner]

Friday, March 25th:
*Trial continues (Day 9) (Federal case) (@ 10am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Adam Dean Fox (38/now 39) (born 1983) of Grand Rapids, *Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. (44/now 45) (no birth date given) from Bear, Delaware (waiting to be extradited to MI), *Daniel Joseph Harris (23/now 24) (born 1997) of Lake Orion & *Brandon Michael-Ray Caserta (32/now 33) (born 1988) of Canton arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. All plead not guilty (12/17/20).
*Adam Dean Fox additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail and any responding law enforcement officers.
*Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law.
*Daniel Joseph Harris additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law. Harris is alleged to have possessed, between July 10, 2020 & Sept. 13, 2020, an Anderson Manufacturing, Model AM-15, .223/5.56 mm caliber semiautomatic assault rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches in length that was not registered to him.
Trial began on 3/8/22 with jury selection & trial began on 3/9/22. (expected to last 4-5 weeks). 12 jurors & 6 alternates. 3/17/22: 1 juror missing (out sick), replaced by alternate. 12 Jurors & 5 alternates. The trial was interrupted due to COVID from 3/11 to 3/16/22.
Criminal Complaint & court info from 10/9/20 thru 3/13/22 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/8/22) & Trial Days 1-4 (Week 1) (3/9 to 3/10 & 3/17 to 3/18/22) & Trial Day 5-7 (Week 2) (3/21 to 3/23/22) reference post #489 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *2 guilty*
3/24/22 Thursday, Trial Day 8: Government witnesses: Ty Garbin back on stand. Kaleb Franks.
for more info see post #490 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *2 guilty*
Trial continues on 3/25/22.
*Ty Gerard Garbin (24) - plead guilty (1/27/21) to kidnapping conspiracy & was sentenced (8/25/21) to 6 years & 3 months in Federal prison. Garbin will testify at the trial of the other defendants. Lengthy testimony & repeated debriefings have been critical in building a case to counter defense arguments that revolve around free speech issues as well as accusations of entrapment by federal undercover informants, Nils R. Kessler, the lead U.S. attorney on the case.
Kaleb James Franks (26) – Plead guilty (2/7/22) to kidnapping conspiracy. Will testify at trial & will be sentencing afterwards.
(State: for Antrim County on 4/14/21 & Jackson County on 8/8/22 & trial starts 9/12/22).

 

[MrsWatson]

Man in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot says group was armed, ready

A second insider in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told jurors that the group was prepared to use a grenade launcher and machine gun to fight security officers at her vacation home.

Franks said he stuck with the group because he hoped he would be killed in a shootout with police during the kidnapping but kept it from others.

“I no longer wanted to live,” he said, moments after settling into the witness chair. “A large portion of my family had died. I was struggling financially. Just wasn’t happy.”

 

[MrsWatson]

https://www.fox17online.com/news/go...-day-10-of-the-governor-kidnapping-plot-trial

Article contains some spectacularly bad courtroom art, so fair warning.

 

[MrsWatson]

So what is everyone thinking about how this is going?

 

[MrsWatson]

Rogue FBI informant tried to keep Whitmer kidnap plot alive, feds say

SBM

A rogue FBI informant tried to keep the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot alive, obstruct justice and destroy evidence after federal agents arrested more than a dozen men in fall 2020, prosecutors said Friday.

The court filing Friday provides new details about Robeson's breakup with the FBI and wrongdoing that led to the convicted felon being indicted on a gun charge and dropped from the kidnap case in October 2020.

"The reason: Steve had been breaking the law without authorization and surreptitiously assisting the other conspirators," Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler wrote.

FBI agents sanctioned Robeson's activities, paid him, rewarded him, gave him secret recording equipment and let him commit illegal activities while working for the government, defense lawyers wrote in a request earlier this week to have Robeson testify.

"Robeson now seeks to assist the government to avoid answering for their actions by hiding behind the pretense of self-incrimination despite being given nearly carte blanche authority by his agents and handlers to gallivant across the country, parading himself as the leader of a national militia and being a significant link in the defendants’ case," defense lawyers Joshua Blanchard and Christopher Gibbons wrote.

 

[Niner]

So what is everyone thinking about how this is going?

Well - personally I believe they all will be convicted...

 

[Cool Cats]

Man who schemed to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer alleges fellow plotters wanted to use a grenade launcher and machine gun to fight her security at her vacation home

 

[Niner]

Monday, March 28th:
*Trial continues (Day 10) (Federal case) (@ 10am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Adam Dean Fox (38/now 39) (born 1983) of Grand Rapids, *Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. (44/now 45) (no birth date given) from Bear, Delaware (waiting to be extradited to MI), *Daniel Joseph Harris (23/now 24) (born 1997) of Lake Orion & *Brandon Michael-Ray Caserta (32/now 33) (born 1988) of Canton arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. All plead not guilty (12/17/20).
*Adam Dean Fox additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail and any responding law enforcement officers.
*Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law.
*Daniel Joseph Harris additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law. Harris is alleged to have possessed, between July 10, 2020 & Sept. 13, 2020, an Anderson Manufacturing, Model AM-15, .223/5.56 mm caliber semiautomatic assault rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches in length that was not registered to him.
Trial began on 3/8/22 with jury selection & trial began on 3/9/22. (expected to last 4-5 weeks). 12 jurors & 6 alternates. 3/17/22: 1 juror missing (out sick), replaced by alternate. 12 Jurors & 5 alternates. The trial was interrupted due to COVID from 3/11 to 3/16/22.
Criminal Complaint & court info from 10/9/20 thru 3/13/22 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/8/22) & Trial Days 1-4 (Week 1) (3/9 to 3/10 & 3/17 to 3/18/22) & Trial Day 5-8 (Week 2) (3/21 to 3/24/22) reference post #491 here:
MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *2 guilty*
3/25/22 Friday, Trial Day 9: Government witnesses: Kaleb Franks back on stand for cross-examination.
for more info see post #493 here:
https://www.fox17online.com/news/go...-day-10-of-the-governor-kidnapping-plot-trial
The prosecution estimates they could rest their case as soon as the end of next week but there are still several more witnesses to get through. Undercover FBI agent known to the group only as "Red" is also expected to be called as a government witness at some point next week.
Trial continues on Monday, 3/28/22.
*Ty Gerard Garbin (24) - plead guilty (1/27/21) to kidnapping conspiracy & was sentenced (8/25/21) to 6 years & 3 months in Federal prison. Garbin will testify at the trial of the other defendants. Lengthy testimony & repeated debriefings have been critical in building a case to counter defense arguments that revolve around free speech issues as well as accusations of entrapment by federal undercover informants, Nils R. Kessler, the lead U.S. attorney on the case.
Kaleb James Franks (26) – Plead guilty (2/7/22) to kidnapping conspiracy. Will testify at trial & will be sentencing afterwards.
(State: for Antrim County on 4/14/21 & Jackson County on 8/8/22 & trial starts 9/12/22).

 

[MrsWatson]

Undercover agent next in trial of Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

SBM

Two men described as leaders of a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer were thrilled as they watched videos of powerful explosives, a few hours before driving north to scout her vacation home, an FBI agent testified Monday.

“Nobody ever actually gave you money, right?′ Blanchard asked Bates, referring to money for explosives. “No one ever shook your hand and said, ‘You’ve got a deal.’”

“Correct,” the agent replied.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Decision expected on 'double agent' on stand in Whitmer kidnap trial