BRKG FBI says militia plot to kidnap Gov of Michigan and overthrow Gov
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Plans to kidnap Whitmer, overthrow government spoiled, officials say
The FBI says it thwarted what it described as a plot to violently overthrow the government and kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
www.detroitnews.com
Feds say they thwarted militia plot to kidnap Whitmer
Robert Snell
The Detroit News
The FBI says it thwarted what it described as a plot to violently overthrow the government and kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and federal prosecutors are expected to discuss the alleged conspiracy later Thursday.
The alleged plot involved reaching out to members of a Michigan militia, according to a federal affidavit filed Thursday.
►Read the filing: FBI affidavit: Conspirators wanted to kidnap gov to remote Wisconsin location
The court filing also alleges the conspirators twice conducted surveillance at Whitmer's personal vacation home and discussed kidnapping her to a "secure location" in Wisconsin to stand "trial" for treason prior to the Nov. 3 election.
"Several members talked about murdering 'tyrants' or 'taking' a sitting governor," an FBI agent wrote in the affidavit. "The group decided they needed to increase their numbers and encouraged each other to talk to their neighbors and spread their message."
The affidavit was filed hours after a team of FBI agents raided a Hartland Township home Wednesday and comes amid an ongoing investigation into the death of a Metro Detroit man killed during a shootout with FBI agents.
►Read more: Ruby Ridge echoes in deadly Madison Heights FBI shootout
More than 12 people were arrested late Wednesday on state and federal charges.
"A threat against our Governor is a threat against us all," Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, tweeted Wednesday afternoon.
"We condemn those who plotted against her and our government. They are not patriots. There is no honor in their actions. They are criminals and traitors, and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
The conspiracy described by the FBI specifically 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
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 June, Croft, Fox and 13 others from multiple states held a meeting in Dublin, Ohio, near Columbus, according to the government.
Those present included an FBI confidential source who recorded the meetings. The source has been paid $8,600.
“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.
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The militia group is not identified in the court filing, but members periodically meet in remote areas of the state for firearms training and tactical drills.
The FBI was already tracking the militia in March after a local police department learned members were trying to obtain addresses of local law-enforcement officers, the FBI agent wrote.
“At the time, the FBI interviewed a member of the militia group who was concerned about the group’s plans to target and kill police officers, and that person agreed to become a (confidential source),” the agent wrote
In late June, Fox posted on Facebook a video in which he complained about the state’s judicial system and COVID-19 restrictions on gyms operating in Michigan.
“Fox referred to Governor Whitmer as ‘this tyrant b----,’ and stated, ‘I don’t know, boys, we gotta do something,” according to the court affidavit. “You guys link with me on our other location system, give me some ideas of what we can do.”
Whitmer's office did not immediately comment Thursday morning, but the governor is expected to deliver prepared remarks on the investigation at 3 p.m. Thursday on her Facebook and Twitter pages.
Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel is set to join with state police, FBI officials and the U.S. attorneys from Detroit and Grand Rapids at 1 p.m. Thursday to announce "details of a major operation" and criminal charges.
The criminal case comes after months of state restrictions on travel and business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The lockdown has been a lightning rod for anti-government extremists in this country, and Gov. Whitmer has been on the forefront of their targeting,” said Seamus Hughes, deputy director of George Washington University’s Program on Extremism.
In recent weeks, the state-owned Michigan governor's residence received security upgrades, including the construction of a new perimeter fence.
The "perimeter security and other safety upgrades" were planned out last year, Whitmer spokeswoman Tiffany Brown said in early September. They were scheduled to start in the early spring but were delayed until recently because of the pandemic, she said.
The cost for the "maintenance" projects at the Lansing residence, which was recommended by the Michigan State Police and the state Department of Technology, Management and Budget, was about $1.1 million, Brown said.
"As a matter of practice, we’re constantly reviewing security protocols and adjusting as needed," said Shanon Banner, spokeswoman for the Michigan State Police, in early September. "We don’t comment on specific threats against the governor nor do we provide information about security measures."
Come back to www.detroitnews.com for more on this developing story.
Plans to kidnap Whitmer, overthrow government spoiled, officials say
The FBI says it thwarted what it described as a plot to violently overthrow the government and kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
www.detroitnews.com
Can't post the text at the link, but 6 men arrested.
Easier to snipe than kidnap.
Just sayin...
Just sayin...
Low hanging fruit....
13 men charged in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
The men discussed attacking a Michigan State Police facility and suggested shooting up the governor’s vacation home, authorities allege.
By Tom Winter, Michael Kosnar and David K. Li
An FBI-led investigation identified six men who were trying to plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The investigation involved multiple informants and undercover FBI personnel.
Based on court documents, the FBI was well aware of the activities of the men charged Thursday and there does not seem to have been an imminent threat posed to Gov. Whitmer, a Democrat.
The documents identify the defendants as Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta.
At a meeting in July, allegedly attended and recorded by one of the informants, the men “discussed attacking a Michigan State Police facility, and in a separate conversation after the meeting, Garbin suggested shooting up the Governor’s vacation home," authorities said.
Then at a July 27 meeting, Fox and an informant discussed a possible kidnapping of Whitmer, with the defendant allegedly saying: “Snatch and grab, man. Grab the f---ing governor. Just grab the b----. Because at that point, we do that, dude — it’s over.”
The federal investigation involved at least one member of a Michigan militia group who was involved in a Second Amendment rally at the Michigan statehouse in June.
That member allegedly told the FBI that the group was considering killing police officers and agreed to become an informant.
But the involvement of that militia in the plot to kidnap the governor appears to be minimal as the group that is charged today allegedly discussed keeping the broader militia out of their actual plan.
In a YouTube video from May, Caserta claimed in a 30-minute diatribe that “the enemy is government.” He shot the video in front of an anarchist’s flag and a map of Michigan.
Caserta did not post on YouTube again until three weeks ago. In that video, Caserta does not speak, and simply loads and poses with a long gun off camera while wearing a shirt that says “F--- The Government.”
For months, Whitmer has drawn the ire of militia groups and others opposed to her restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
Armed protesters took to the streets of Lansing, the state capital, during the early days of Whitmer’s coronavirus lockdown orders. And President Donald Trump famously tweeted "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!" in April.
"The Governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire," Trump tweeted on May 1. "These are very good people, but they are angry. They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them, make a deal."
Whitmer was elected as the state's 49th governor in 2018, defeating Republican Bill Schuette by nearly 10 percentage points.
Meadowlark
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Idiots walked right into the honey trap. Would be not surprised if the FBI helped set it up.
BUBBAHOTEPT
Veteran Member
And do what with her? Yep, all six of them, we are really in trouble. I hope they were wearing their masks.... 
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
My thoughts also. I bet it was a couple of guys drinking beer and talking....then the FBI got involved....
Raggedyman
Res ipsa loquitur
doubt that anything even remotely close to this even occurred - complete BULLSHIT
Cacheman
Ultra MAGA!
She was in downtown Lansing, just having left a Subway in the middle of the night, when six men yelled "this is MAGA Country" and attempted to kidnap her.
Blacknarwhal
Let's Go Brandon!
Protests didn't work. Petitions didn't work. Lawsuits didn't work. She's bucked the Supreme Court.
It's not surprising some folks got to the "what else is there" point.
It's not surprising some folks got to the "what else is there" point.
Milkweed Host
Veteran Member
I would imagine that the FBI's "Minority Report" on this has some very accurate wishful thinking associated with it.
skwentnaflyer
Veteran Member
And do what? Stick ruby slippers on her and restage the house scene?
SamGribley
Contributing Member
Kidnappings usually involve a target of value, just saying.
bobfall2005
Veteran Member
So who won't be posting here?
David Nettleton
Veteran Member
But I thought you white supremacist militia men were sympathetic to law enforcement. They were going to target LEOs?
Jonas Parker
Hooligan
This may be the "Bozo Militia", but it sure isn't the Michigan Militia.
Report in some of the press that they scouted areas to place explosives as diversions. I think they got out of the bar.
According to the news they were planning to take care of state police and take over the capital. They were researching the home address of LEOs.
Plans for IEDs and locations to plant them were previously physically scouted. They had plans for enlisting the aid of over a 100 fellow participants.
Should be taken as a warning when you start to talk about who you're going to have to kill when SHTF, and that you already have a list for your AO of individuals to be "taken care of".
It is beyond stupid to mention or discuss such things on the internet.
I thought that odd too until I realized these guys consider all gov entities as the enemy. Go far enough Right and the guy standing next will be from the Left. They are brothers. although they don't recognize it.
sjhenderson
Senior Member
Who would want to do or pay anything to get this witch back? I call BS.
medic38572
TB Fanatic
I don't know Raggedyman there are some stupid people around.
Yep, relatively easy to harvest.
Nobody knows who an online person really is.
Some of our loudest mouths here may not be what they seem.
News now saying 12 are arrested and that number is expected to grow.
Both undercover agents and other members turned informants in the group alerted the FBI