Latest Trial Victories Bring Total Number of Men Convicted in Whitmer Kidnapping Plot to Seven

     After a roller coaster ride of mixed results at the federal level, the first state trial in the case of the terrorist plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was a triumphant victory in the name of justice for American democracy. Joseph Morrison, the fetal alcoholic syndrome-suffering leader of the Wolverine Watchmen; his father-in-law, Pete Musico; and Paul Bellar, a former military member from South Carolina who was honorably discharged with PTSD; were each convicted of felony counts of material support for terrorism, gang membership, and firearms possession for providing support to the men federally charged and convicted with attempting to kidnap Whitmer. Their sentencing is set for December 15th: they face mandatory minimums of two years and statutory maximums of 42 years in state prison.

     In August 2021 and February 2022, Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and received sentences of 30 months and 48 months in federal prison, respectively, after testifying at trial against their co-conspirators. Brandon Caserta and Daniel Harris were acquitted in the first trial, while the jury deadlocked on charges against ringleader Adam Fox and conspirator Barry Croft, a man who had been pardoned by Governor John Carney of Delaware for previous crimes. Fox and Croft were convicted in their second federal trial and face up to life in prison when they are sentenced in December.

     With two guilty pleas, two acquittals, two federal convictions, and three state convictions, nine cases have now yielded seven convictions out of 14 men, bringing this prosecution to the halfway point. Five men-- William and Michael Null, twins who stormed the Michigan Capitol in 2020; Brian Higgins, the oldest defendant and sole Wisconsinite whose primary role was as a scout; Eric Molitor, a supporter of boogaloo, Kyle Rittenhouse, and the McCloskeys who led "Second Amendment Sanctuary" efforts; and Shawn Fix, whose residence was used for training purposes-- have a state trial likely to take place next year.

     We need to keep the pressure up to ensure convictions for the five men awaiting their state trial in another county and to ensure that the five men who have already been convicted at trial receive adequate sentences. Finally, we need to ensure that the two men acquitted at a federal trial, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta, are charged, convicted, and sentenced for their actions at the state level. The jurisdiction exists, the facts are clear, they have three wins under their belt, and the narrative that the FBI was in control of this plot needs to die.

     After a rough start, we're beginning to see accountability for the bad actors behind this domestic terror plot. It's time to finish the job.