According to the FBI, a plot to kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer was thwarted after the agency raided a Hartland Township home Wednesday.
The conspiracy described by the FBI involved at least six people, including Ty Garbin, 24, whose home was raided by agents in Hartland Township late Wednesday.
The affidavit filed in federal court details probable cause to charge the six men with conspiring to kidnap Whitmer. Those identified by name include:
- Adam Fox
- Barry Croft
- Garbin
- Kaleb Franks
- Daniel Harris
- Brandon Caserta
Ages and hometowns for all six men were not immediately available.
The investigation dates to early 2020 when the FBI learned through social media that individuals were discussing the violent overthrow of several state governments and law enforcement.
In addition to the kidnapping, Fox and Croft as well as 13 others from other states met in Dublin, Ohio according to the FBI who apparently had an insider into the group and that meeting held back in June. That FBI source ended up recording the meeting that revealed other intentions of the unnamed militia group that included creating a society based on the Bill of Rights of the United States and ways to achieve this goal through violent or non-violent means.
“The group talked about creating a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient,” the FBI agent wrote. “They discussed different ways of achieving this goal from peaceful endeavors to violent actions. At one point, several members talked about state governments they believed were violating the U.S. Constitution, including the government of Michigan and Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“As part of that recruitment effort, Fox reached out to a Michigan-based militia group,” the agent added.
The FBI first learned of the group’s intentions back in early 2020 through social media that according to a sworn affidavit discussed “the violent overthrow of certain government and law enforcement components,” and “agreed to take violent action.”
Other discussions apparently found by the FBI included the unnamed group using 200 men to “storm” the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing, kidnap various individuals including the Governor and try her for treason.
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