Wolverine Watchmen, group charged in Gov Whitmer's kidnapping plot, wanted to publicly execute Michigan officials
The far-right militia group, "Wolverine Watchmen," accused of planning to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer allegedly wanted to nationally televise executions of the state officials, according to court documents. The plot was ultimately foiled by the FBI in October after which 14 people in total were accused of being involved.
In court papers filed by the Michigan State Attorney General’s Office last month, held details of the gruesome plot, The Detroit Free Press reported. There were multiple plans made by the accused related to the kidnapping plot in case one failed. Adam Fox, 37, allegedly laid out the plans to be carried out during a pro-gun rights rally on June 18. “Plan A consisted of recruiting 200 men and then storming the Capitol building in Lansing while Congress was in session,” the documents obtained by the Detroit Free Press stated. "They were to take hostages, execute tyrants and have it televised. It would take about one week and that no one is coming out alive."
In the second plan, people were supposed to storm the building in the same manner but "then lock the entrances/exits to the structure. They would then set the building on fire." Pointing out that the Capitol building is a "fishbowl," suspect Pete Musico, 42, allegedly presented what became his own "Plan B", documents shared by The Detroit News showed. "Everyone has addresses," he allegedly said, as the accused were urged to "look up the addresses of the politician's residences and execute the secondary plan" at the respective locations, prosecutors alleged in the court papers.
As we previously reported, the alleged ploy included plans to overthrow several state governments that the suspects "believe are violating the US Constitution", including the government of Michigan, according to a federal criminal complaint. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel informed that six people were charged federally with conspiracy to kidnap, and seven other people, associated with the militia group ‘Wolverine Watchmen’, were charged by the state. At a press conference, Nessel said, "The individuals in (state) custody are suspected to have attempted to identify the home addresses of law enforcement officers in order to target them, made threats of violence intended to instigate a civil war, and engaged in planning and training for an operation to attack the capitol building of Michigan and to kidnap government officials, including the governor of Michigan."
Prior to that, Whitmer had faced backlash from conservatives in the state over the restrictions laid in place due to the coronavirus pandemic. In an interview on CNN's ‘Erin Burnett OutFront’ on October 8 night, Whitmer thanked the law enforcement for making the arrests. "This is unlike anything we have seen before. The brave men and women of these two police organizations put their lives on the line to keep me and my family safe. I'm incredibly grateful and humbled by the work they do," she said.
A total of 14 men – including at least seven associated with the militia – were arrested on charges related to plotting to kidnap the governor. Brian Higgins, 51, who was charged over alleged involvement with the kidnapping plot – was released on October 19 on a cash bail of $10,000. Six men – Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, Brandon Casert and Ty Garbin faced charges with plotting the kidnap. Seven additional men – Paul Bellar, Shawn Fix, Eric Molitor, Michael Null, William Null, Pete Musico and Joseph Morrison – face terrorism and gang-related charges in connection with the alleged kidnapping plot.