By Steve Neavling
A federal grand jury has indicted six men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The indictment comes more than two months after the FBI arrested the suspects, who face up to life in prison on one count of kidnapping conspiracy.
No trial date has been set.
The indictment sheds new light on the case. One of the suspects, Brandon Caserta, 32, of Canton Township, instructed his co-conspirators in an encrypted video message that “if they encountered police during reconnaissance, they should give the officers one opportunity to leave, and kill them if they did not comply,” according to a court filing.
The other indicted men are Adam Fox, 37, of Potterville; Ty Garbin, 25, of Hartland Township; Kaleb Franks, 26, of Waterford Township; Daniel Harris, 23, of Lake Orion; and Barry Croft, 44, of Delaware. An additional six suspects in the kidnapping plot were charged in state court.
According to new filings, investigators raided sites in multiple states, including a firing range in northern Michigan and homes in metro Detroit.
Federal prosecutors say the men were anti-government extremists who were incensed over Whitmer’s coronavirus restrictions.
