Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot

On October 8, 2020, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced the arrests of 13 men suspected of orchestrating a domestic terror plot to kidnap American politician Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of Michigan, and otherwise using violence to overthrow the state government. Some have labeled the attempt as an example of stochastic terrorism, where violent rhetoric by prominent figures inspired the plot.

Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot
Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan
TypeKidnapping plot, conspiracy
MotiveRetaliation for Whitmer's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
TargetGretchen Esther Whitmer
Accused
  • Daniel Harris
  • Brandon Caserta
  • Eric Molitor
  • Michael Null
  • William Null
Convicted
  • Ty Garbin
  • Kaleb Franks
  • Adam Fox
  • Barry Croft
  • Paul Bellar
  • Joseph M. Morrison
  • Pete Musico
  • Brian Higgins
  • Shawn Fix
ChargesFederal:
Fox, Garbin, Croft, Franks, Harris, Caserta:
Conspiring to commit kidnapping
Fox, Croft, Harris:
Conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction
State:
Musico, Morrison, Fix, Molitor, Michael and William Null, Bellar, Higgins:
Providing material support for terrorist acts
Fix, Molitor, Michael and William Null:
Firearms offenses
Musico, Morrison, Bellar:
Gang membership
VerdictFederal:
Garbin, Franks:
Pleaded guilty
Caserta, Harris:
Not guilty
Fox, Croft:
Hung jury (first trial)
Guilty (second trial)
State:
Bellar, Morrison, Musico:
Guilty
Fix, Higgins:
Pleaded guilty
Michael and William Null, Molitor:
Not guilty
ConvictionsFederal:
Garbin, Franks:
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping
Fox, Croft:
Conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction
State:
Bellar, Morrison, Musico, Fix:
Providing material support for terrorist acts
Bellar, Morrison, Musico:
Gang membership
Higgins:
Attempting to provide material support for terrorist acts
SentenceFederal:
Garbin:
2+1⁄2 years in prison plus a $2,500 fine
Franks:
4 years in prison
Fox:
16 years in prison
Croft:
19 years and 7 months in prison

Half of the suspects were tied to a paramilitary militia group that called themselves the Wolverine Watchmen. Six of the suspects were charged in federal court, while the other seven were charged with state crimes. A week later, a fourteenth suspect was arrested and charged in state court.

Two men pleaded guilty and offered to testify on behalf of the prosecution as part of a favorable plea deal, while five men were acquitted at trial. Two other men were later found guilty of kidnapping conspiracy and conspiracy to possess weapons of mass destruction. One of those men was also convicted of another explosives charge.

Three other men were later convicted of felony counts of gang membership, providing material support to terrorism, and illegal weapons possession in the first state trial stemming from the case.

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