NonilexDec 15, 2022

“3 men were #sentenced Thurs for #ProvidingMaterialAid to #terrorists & being members of a #gang in connection w/the plot to #kidnap #Michigan Gov. #GretchenWhitmer.

“…#PaulBellar, #JosephMorrison, & Morrison's father-in-law #PeteMusico… were found guilty in October.

#WhitmerKidnappingPlot
Via Detroit News
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/15/three-men-sentenced-in-michigan-gov-whitmer-kidnapping-plot/69709773007/

Three men get longest prison sentences to date in Whitmer kidnapping plot

Paul Bellar, 22, Joseph Morrison, 27, and Pete Musico, 43, each were sentenced to a minimum of 7-12 years for providing material aid to terrorists.

The Detroit News
Show threadNonilex
“The jury determined that the 3 men, who all were members of #militia group #WolverineWatchmen, aided plot ringleaders Adam Fox & Barry Croft, who were both convicted of #kidnapping conspiracy & #conspiracy to use a #WeaponOfMassDestruction in federal court. Prosecutors said the men were early joiners & founders of Wolverine Watchmen, which helped train Fox & Croft for their plot to kidnap Whitmer.
Dec 15, 2022 at 4:44pmWeb
Show threadNonilexDec 15, 2022

“Bellar was sentenced to 7 to 22 years in prison, w/sentences for 2 charges running consecutively. He received 5 to 20 years for #GangMembership, 4 to 20 years for #ProvidingMaterialSupport to a #terrorist & 2 years for #FelonyFirearm.…

“Morrison was sentenced to 10 to 42 years in prison, w/sentences for 3 charges running consecutively. He received 4 to 20 years for #GangMembership, 4 to 20 years for #ProvidingMaterialSupport to a #terrorist & 2 years for #FelonyFirearm.…

Show threadNonilexDec 15, 2022

“Musico was sentenced to 12 to 42 years in prison, w/sentences for 3 charges running consecutively. He received 5 to 20 years for #GangMembership, 5 to 20 years for #ProvidingMaterialSupport to a #terrorist & 2 years for #FelonyFirearm.“

#RightWingExtremism #DomesticTerrorism #DomesticViolentExtremism #StateSponsoredTerror #MAGAterrorism #TrumpIsATerrorist

Show threadNonilexDec 15, 2022

“Asst AG Sunita Doddamani asked the judge for the consecutive sentences, which is unusual, but allowed w/these convictions. She said she did not ask for that lightly, but that concurrent sentencing is not appropriate in these cases.

"'I don't think any of these defendants are going to change their anti-government mentality. It’s who they are, it's their core identity,’ Doddamani said. 'Incarceration by the govt for crimes they didn't even think they committed is probably their worst nightmare.’

Show threadNonilexDec 15, 2022
“Whitmer provided a letter & video prosecutors played in the courtroom Thurs. All 3 defense attys argued Whitmer’s statement should not be allowed because she was not a victim in the case, but Wilson let prosecutors play the video.
“'These 3 defendants are free to disagree, vote or campaign against me. Instead they took a different path. They supported a violent conspiracy,’ Whitmer said. 'A conspiracy to kidnap & kill a sitting governor of the state of Michigan is a threat to democracy itself.’
Show threadNonilexDec 15, 2022

“Bellar, Morrison & Musico’s trials were the first test of the strength of Michigan Attorney General #DanaNessel’s office’s case against the associates of #AdamFox & #BarryCroft.

“One state case remains for 5 people in Antrim County accused of providing material support for terrorists & #RunningSurveillance on Whitmer’s cottage in Elk Rapids. 86th District Judge Michael Stepka bound the cases over this week to circuit court to stand trial.

#PoliticalExtremism #DomesticTerrorism

Show threadNonilexDec 15, 2022

“Combined, these charges represent the largest #DomesticTerrorism case in a generation that has shed light on #PoliticalExtremism in #Michigan.

“7 people have now been convicted on state or federal charges related to the kidnapping plot. Daniel Harris & Brandon Caserta, co-defendants of Fox & Croft, were acquitted, & other plot members Ty Garbin & Kaleb Franks pleaded guilty to kidnapping conspiracy. An 8th individual, FBI informant Stephen Robeson, was convicted of a federal gun crime.”