BELLAIRE, MI -- The last of three trials for 14 men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in order to spark a civil war in 2020 was scheduled to begin with jury selection Monday, Aug. 21.
Opening statements are expected Wednesday, Aug. 23.
The defendants, Michael Null, 41, Plainville, twin brother William Null, 41, of Shelbyville, and Eric Molitor, 39, are each charged with providing material support for terrorist acts, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, punishable by two years in prison in addition to any other sentence.
All three men are accused of participating in surveillance trips conducted near the governor’s lake house in Elk Rapids, one a daytime trip on Aug. 29 that Molitor attended and the other between Sept. 12 and Sept. 13 that the Null brothers participated in.
“William Null and Michael Null have provided assistance for a nighttime physical surveillance operation of the governor’s vacation home by acting as lookouts ... " the charging affidavit said. “Molitor, along with others, on August 29, 2020 conducted surveillance of Governor Whitmer’s vacation home” and “used his cell phone to find the location and took photographs. He further discussed with others about conducting surveillance from water at a later date ... "
The FBI made a sweep arresting 13 of the accused conspirators on Oct. 8, as some of the men were attempting to make arrangements to purchase explosives, according to court testimony at a previous federal trial.
Of the 11 other charged defendants, two were convicted by a jury, two accepted plea deals and two were acquitted in federal court; three were convicted in Jackson County, two others have accepted plea deals in Antrim County. Here’s the breakdown:
Barry Croft Jr. of Bear, Delaware, following a mistrial, was retried and in August 2022 convicted by a jury in federal court for conspiracy to kidnap the governor, conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction and knowingly possessing an unregistered destructive device. He was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in prison.
Adam Fox of Wyoming, Michigan, following a mistrial, was retried and in August 2022 convicted by a jury in federal court for conspiracy to kidnap the governor and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Brandon Michael-Ray Caserta of Canton in April 2022 was found not guilty by a jury in federal court on charges of conspiracy to kidnap the governor and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. After spending nearly 18 months in pretrial jail detention, Caserta was released.
Daniel Harris of Lake Orion in April 2022 was found not guilty by a jury in federal court on charges of conspiracy to kidnap the governor and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. After spending nearly 18 months in pretrial jail detention, Harris was released.
Ty Garbin of Hartland accepted a deal in January 2021, agreed to testify against codefendants at the federal trials and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap the governor. He was originally sentenced to six years and three months in prison, but the U.S. District Court later reduced the sentence to two years and six months in prison.
Kaleb Franks of Waterford accepted a deal in February 2022, agreed to testify against codefendants at the federal trials and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap the governor. He was sentenced to four years in prison.
Pete Musico of Munith was found guilty in October 2022 by a jury in Jackson County of providing material support for terrorist acts, gang membership and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Joseph Morrison of Milford was found guilty in October 2022 by a jury in Jackson County of providing material support for terrorist acts, gang membership and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Paul Bellar of Milford was found guilty in October 2022 by a jury in Jackson County of providing material support for terrorist acts, gang membership and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Brian Higgins of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, accepted a deal in March of this year and pleaded guilty to providing material support for a terrorist in Antrim County. He is expected to be sentenced upon completion of the trial for Molitor and the Null brothers. The crime is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Shawn Fix of Belleville accepted a deal in June of this year and pleaded guilty to providing material support for a terrorist in Antrim County. He is expected to be sentenced upon completion of the trial for Molitor and the Null brothers. The crime is punishable by up to five years in prison.
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