INSIDER
'Militia enthusiast' gets over 4 years in prison for attacking police with baton during Jan. 6 riot
Read full article: 'Militia enthusiast' gets over 4 years in prison for attacking police with baton during Jan. 6 riotA Michigan man described by prosecutors as a self-professed militia leader has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison for attacking law enforcement with a stolen police baton during the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Grand Rapids judge denied motion for new trial for 2 members involved in Whitmer kidnapping plot
Read full article: Grand Rapids judge denied motion for new trial for 2 members involved in Whitmer kidnapping plotFound guilty in August of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and trying to obtain a weapon of mass destruction, a federal judge in Grand Rapids has denied the motion for a new trial for Barry Croft and Adam Fox.
Accused of flirting, juror dismissed from Whitmer plot trial
Read full article: Accused of flirting, juror dismissed from Whitmer plot trialA judge has dismissed a young woman from the jury hearing the trial of three men in connection with a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after attorneys accused her of flirting with one of the defendants.
Juror in Whitmer kidnap trial under scrutiny for exchanging smiles with defendant
Read full article: Juror in Whitmer kidnap trial under scrutiny for exchanging smiles with defendantThe judge said a female juror has been exchanging smiles with Paul Bellar, one of the defendants in the Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot trial.
A flirt? Concerns about juror in case tied to Whitmer plot
Read full article: A flirt? Concerns about juror in case tied to Whitmer plotProsecutors are raising concerns about a female juror who apparently has been smiling at one of three men on trial in connection with a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
3 accused of assisting Michigan governor kidnapping plot stand trial
Read full article: 3 accused of assisting Michigan governor kidnapping plot stand trialAn FBI agent has testified that postings in online chatrooms by members of a paramilitary group connected to a 2020 anti-government plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer included instructions on how to make explosives.
Michigan judge to decide on trial for 3 in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
Read full article: Michigan judge to decide on trial for 3 in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plotA judge is scheduled to rule on whether three men charged in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer before the 2020 election were entrapped by the FBI.
Attorneys for 3 men charged in plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plan entrapment defense
Read full article: Attorneys for 3 men charged in plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plan entrapment defenseAttorneys for the three men charged in the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid out how they plan to present their defense.
Judge orders 3 to trial in plot to kidnap Michigan governor
Read full article: Judge orders 3 to trial in plot to kidnap Michigan governorA Michigan judge on Monday, March 29, 2021 ordered three men to stand trial in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Jackson County District Court Judge Michael Klaeren ruled there was enough evidence and bound over Paul Bellar, Joe Morrison and Pete Musico to circuit court to stand trial. (Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center via AP)A Michigan judge on Monday ordered three men to stand trial in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Jackson County District Court Judge Michael Klaeren ruled there was enough evidence and bound over Paul Bellar, Joe Morrison and Pete Musico to circuit court to stand trial. AdThe FBI in October said it broke up a plot to kidnap Whitmer by anti-government extremists upset over her coronavirus restrictions.
Informant in plot against Whitmer indicted on weapons charges
Read full article: Informant in plot against Whitmer indicted on weapons chargesA lot of the evidence in the trial was provided by key FBI informants. READ: How a post office worker became FBI’s inside man into terrorism plot against Gov. WhitmerAdThe FBI has named one of their key informants as Steven Robeson from Wisconsin. Attorneys for the men will argue the men were just talking about the plot and the FBI’s own informants helped train the men, allegedly pushing the plot forward. AdREAD: 19 details inside Whitmer kidnapping defendant’s guilty plea
FBI informant gives detailed account into domestic terrorism plot against Gov. Whitmer
Read full article: FBI informant gives detailed account into domestic terrorism plot against Gov. WhitmerREAD: Confidential informant testifies in hearing for 3 men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Dan said one of the men working with the group wanted to hogtie Whitmer up and put her on display. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? AdThere were also discussions of installing Wolverine Watchmen members as the new government. One of the men, a supposed leader of the Wolverine Watchmen, claimed he would be targeting Michigan’s Attorney General and Lt.
Confidential informant testifies in hearing for 3 men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer
Read full article: Confidential informant testifies in hearing for 3 men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. WhitmerLANSING, Mich. – A confidential informant for the FBI is testifying in the case against three men charged in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. The informant testified that he was there for the planning of both the storming of Michigan’s Capitol and the plot to kidnap and kill Whitmer. READ: How an informant brought down plot against Michigan Gov. He said he was introduced to the Wolverine Watchmen through a suggested page recommendation on Facebook. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen?
Defense for Wolverine Watchmen argue violent rhetoric against Gov. Whitmer was satirical
Read full article: Defense for Wolverine Watchmen argue violent rhetoric against Gov. Whitmer was satiricalJACKSON, Mich. – Defense attorneys for Pete Musico, his son-in-law Joseph Morrison and Paul Bellar -- who are accused of being involved in a domestic terrorism plot to kidnap or kill Gov. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? Thursday was day two of the hearing for the three members of the Wolverine Watchmen. AdThe defense attorneys used a series of different arguments Thursday. READ: Defense attorneys rebut FBI claims in alleged plot against Gov.
Local 4 News at Noon -- March 4, 2021
Read full article: Local 4 News at Noon -- March 4, 2021DETROIT – Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at Noon. Defense attorneys rebut FBI claims in alleged plot against Gov. WhitmerDefense attorneys for Pete Musico, his son-in-law Joseph Morrison and Paul Bellar -- who are accused of being involved in a domestic terrorism plot to kidnap or kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer -- claim things only became serious when the FBI informant became involved.
Defense attorneys rebut FBI claims in alleged plot against Gov. Whitmer
Read full article: Defense attorneys rebut FBI claims in alleged plot against Gov. WhitmerJACKSON, Mich. – Defense attorneys for Pete Musico, his son-in-law Joseph Morrison and Paul Bellar -- who are accused of being involved in a domestic terrorism plot to kidnap or kill Gov. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? Thursday was day two of the hearing for the three members of the Wolverine Watchmen. The defense also portrayed the violent rhetoric about Whitmer as satirical and that their activities only escalated after an FBI informant got involved. It’s a similar defense to what was used by attorneys representing members of the Hutaree group in 2012.
How an informant brought down plot against Michigan Gov. Whitmer
Read full article: How an informant brought down plot against Michigan Gov. Whitmer“He just wanted to notify us about the Wolverine Watchmen and tell us that the group was a danger to law enforcement,” the agent said. This information was revealed at the preliminary hearing for three of the 14 men accused in the kidnapping plot against Gov. READ: How a post office worker became FBI’s inside man into terrorism plot against Gov. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? READ: A look at group texts between suspects in terrorist plot against Michigan Gov.
How a post office worker became FBI’s inside man into terrorism plot against Gov. Whitmer
Read full article: How a post office worker became FBI’s inside man into terrorism plot against Gov. WhitmerJACKSON, Mich. – New evidence in the domestic terrorism plot to kidnap or kill Gov. READ: 3 men charged in domestic terrorism plot against Gov. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? RELATED: A look at group texts between suspects in terrorist plot against Michigan Gov. The man wanted out, but the FBI asked him to stay with the Wolverine Watchmen, wear a wire, record everything and risk his life.
3 men charged in domestic terrorism plot against Gov. Whitmer appear in court
Read full article: 3 men charged in domestic terrorism plot against Gov. Whitmer appear in courtJACKSON, Mich. – Attorneys for Pete Musico, his son-in-law Joseph Morrison and Paul Bellar -- who are accused of being involved in a domestic terrorism plot to kidnap or kill Gov. The attorneys are questioning the description of the Wolverine Watchmen as a terrorist organization. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? The FBI said they never heard of the Wolverine Watchmen until one of them created a Facebook Group. RELATED: A look at group texts between suspects in terrorist plot against Michigan Gov.
A look at group texts between suspects in terrorist plot against Michigan Gov. Whitmer
Read full article: A look at group texts between suspects in terrorist plot against Michigan Gov. WhitmerDetails of the secret group chat held by some of the suspects in the alleged domestic terrorism plot to kidnap and kill Gov. Local 4 Defenders saw the group’s conversation in which one member alerted them that police questioned a former roommate of his in Milford. All defendants on the group chat are from Metro Detroit. Fox reportedly wasn’t told that members believed the suspected domestic terrorist plot had gotten out. Many of the suspects in the alleged domestic terrorism plot to kidnap and kill Gov.
Prosecution against 8 men in Michigan domestic terror plot continues
Read full article: Prosecution against 8 men in Michigan domestic terror plot continuesJACKSON COUNTY, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s prosecution against the eight men facing domestic terrorism charges for an alleged plot to storm the Capitol building and kidnap elected officials, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, continued Friday with a bond hearing for two of the defendants in Jackson County 12th District Court. He remains lodged in the Jackson County Jail. Brian Higgins, 52, of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, is being extradited to Michigan from Columbia County, Wisconsin. Future court dates for Antrim County defendants can be tracked online at the court’s website, while those for Jackson County defendants can also be tracked online.
Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot: Here’s what we’ve learned as of Friday afternoon
Read full article: Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot: Here’s what we’ve learned as of Friday afternoonLocal 4 has learned more Friday about the alleged plot to kidnap Gov. That’s when the Wolverine Watchmen caught the FBI’s attention. In June, the men involved in the kidnapping conspiracy started meeting with members of the Wolverine Watchmen and recruiting others to their ranks. “They belong to a group, a militia group, called the Wolverine Watchmen. A house on Dunn Road in Munith that was raided Oct. 8, 2020, in connection with a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov.
Jackson County home was alleged ‘training ground’ in plot to kidnap Whitmer
Read full article: Jackson County home was alleged ‘training ground’ in plot to kidnap WhitmerMUNITH, Mich. – Federal and state officials have charged 13 people after uncovering a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and overthrow the Michigan government, FBI agents said. Through confidential informants and undercover agents, the FBI gained access to audio recordings, ground messages and secret meetings as the group plotted for months, according to court records. In addition to a Wednesday night raid in Hartland, FBI agents also raided the home of two of the suspects in Jackson County. Authorities said the Munith home served as a training facility for members of the group now facing terrorism charges.
View: Mugshots for all 14 people charged after FBI uncovered plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer
Read full article: View: Mugshots for all 14 people charged after FBI uncovered plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. WhitmerPaul Bellar, 21, of Milford, was charged with providing material support for terrorist acts, gang membership and a felony firearm violation. Providing material support for terrorists acts, threat of terrorism and gang membership are each 20-year felonies. The felony firearm violations come with mandatory two-year prison sentences, to be served consecutively. You can view mugshots for Bellar, Musico, Morrison, Molitor, Fix and the Nulls below. Brian Higgins was charged after the FBI uncovered a domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov.