5 Accused To Appear Before Court In Relation With Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Kidnapping

Out of the thirteen accused in Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's kidnapping plot, five are to be presented before the court today for a hearing that would determine whether they would be detained before the final trial or not.

Thirteen people, including seven men who are reportedly associated with the Wolverine Watchmen militia group, were arrested last week for their alleged connection with the plot to kidnap the Michigan governor. According to the prosecutors' statement on Thursday last week, the plan included an attack on the state capitol building as well.

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Whitmer is a frequent target of Republican President Donald Trump's supporters. This has increased manifold ahead of the November 3 presidential election.

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The matter will be looked into by the US Magistrate Judge Sally Berens. She will oversee the bail and detention proceeding in Grand Rapids for Adam Fox, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta — all Michigan residents. A sixth man, Barry Croft, was being held in Delaware.

"Our efforts uncovered elaborate plans to endanger the lives of law enforcement officers, government officials and the broader public," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel told a news conference to announce the charges earlier.

The group of six facing federal charges - Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta could face life in prison if convicted on charges of attempting to kidnap Whitmer, said Andrew Birge, the US attorney for the western district of Michigan.

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The accused tried to instigate a Civil War

Seven other accused who are linked to a paramilitary group called the Wolverine Watchmen, as already mentioned, were charged in state court for allegedly seeking to storm the Michigan Capitol. Further accusations are based on the reports that they were providing material support for terrorist acts by seeking a “civil war.” "The individuals in 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," General Dana Nessel said.

Adam Fox was described as one of the leaders of the ploy. Reportedly, he was living in the basement of a vacuum shop in Grand Rapids. The owner of the store told the investigators that Fox was opposed to wearing a mask during the pandemic. He reportedly kept firearms and ammunition at the store basement.

Whitmer has been widely praised for her prompt response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Shikha Chandra is an intern with SheThePeople.TV