Feds Charge Six Men Accused in Plot to Kidnap Michigan Governor

[Winehole23]

Judge tosses terrorism threat charge against 3 accused in alleged Whitmer plot
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/03/29/gretchen-whitmer-plot-threat-paul-bellar-joseph-morrison-pete-musico/7044920002/


Klaeren also on Monday ordered Bellar, Morrison and Musico to stand trial on three remaining charges, gang membership and providing material support for terrorism, both punishable by up to 20 years in prison, as well as felony firearm, punishable by up to two years in prison.

[Winehole23]

glad to see the judge doing what judges do, sorting the wheat from the chaff.

[RandomGuy]

only three right wing terrorists will be charged with plotting to assassinate a Demcoratic elected official

Go you. :tu Your political party and its morally bankrupt ideology is still based on violence and dishonesty and outright elitism.

Nothing changed.

[TSA]

Breaking news on CNN.

Men wanted to disrupt and overthrow state government. Right wing domestic violence rearing its ugly head.

FBI will have a press conference on this later today.

The audacious plot to kidnap a sitting governor — seen by many as a precursor to the Jan. 6 assault on the US Capitol by hundreds of Trump-supporting protesters — has become one of the most important domestic terrorism investigations in a generation.

The prosecution has already emerged as a critical test for how the Biden administration approaches the growing threat of homegrown anti-government groups. More than that, though, the case epitomizes the ideological divisions that have riven the country over the past several years. To some, the FBI’s infiltration of the innermost circle of armed anti-government groups is a model for how to successfully forestall dangerous acts of domestic terrorism. But for others, it’s an example of precisely the kind of outrageous government overreach that radicalizes people in the first place, and, increasingly, a flashpoint for deep state conspiracy theories.

The government has documented at least 12 confidential informants who assisted the sprawling investigation. The trove of evidence they helped gather provides an unprecedented view into American extremism, laying out in often stunning detail the ways that anti-government groups network with each other and, in some cases, discuss violent actions.

An examination of the case by BuzzFeed News also reveals that some of those informants, acting under the direction of the FBI, played a far larger role than has previously been reported. Working in secret, they did more than just passively observe and report on the actions of the suspects. Instead, they had a hand in nearly every aspect of the alleged plot, starting with its inception. The extent of their involvement raises questions as to whether there would have even been a conspiracy without them.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kenbensinger/michigan-kidnapping-gretchen-whitmer-fbi-informant

much more at link.

[Winehole23]

preying on the weak and the simple has long been a staple of US counterterrorism, as always amplified by the media megaphone.

[TSA]

No.

The FBI was in on this.
They cannot be trusted.

Let those patriots go free, liberate them.:lol the FBI was 100% in on this

"An examination of the case by BuzzFeed News also reveals that some of those informants, acting under the direction of the FBI, played a far larger role than has previously been reported. Working in secret, they did more than just passively observe and report on the actions of the suspects. Instead, they had a hand in nearly every aspect of the alleged plot, starting with its inception. The extent of their involvement raises questions as to whether there would have even been a conspiracy without them.

A longtime government informant from Wisconsin, for example, helped organize a series of meetings around the country where many of the alleged plotters first met one another and the earliest notions of a plan took root, some of those people say. The Wisconsin informant even paid for some hotel rooms and food as an incentive to get people to come."

================================================== =====================================

"The Iraq War vet, for his part, became so deeply enmeshed in a Michigan militant group that he rose to become its second-in-command, encouraging members to collaborate with other potential suspects and paying for their transportation to meetings. He prodded the alleged mastermind of the kidnapping plot to advance his plan, then baited the trap that led to the arrest.


Johnson and the other defense lawyers have taken pains to note that despite his claims that he acted as a good Samaritan, Dan was rewarded financially for his work as an informant. In testimony, Dan described how his handlers eventually gave him envelopes of cash, covered his mortgage and car payment, and also bought him a phone, computer, and the new vehicle. When Dan sold his house in December because he was concerned people in the Patriot movement knew his address, the bureau even reimbursed him for what he testified was a $4,500 loss on the deal. The grand total for his seven months of work, including reimbursement for expenses, was $54,793.95, considerably more than most families in Dan’s part of Michigan bring home in a year.

“All of this evidence underscores the extremely active and coercive role the CHSs played in this matter,” wrote Scott Graham, Kaleb Franks’ attorney, in a motion filed last week.

Many of the defense attorneys have argued that the Watchmen would never have been involved in any kind of plot at all if it weren't for Dan. It was Dan, the combat veteran, who taught the Watchmen the military tactics that made them attractive to someone like Fox, the attorneys claimed.

It was Dan, too, they said, who had brought Fox into the group despite objections from multiple Watchmen that he seemed “crazy.” It was Dan, along with Robeson — another informant — who had supported Fox’s kidnapping plan, and Dan who acted as the personal chauffeur to the Watchmen, Fox, and others to ensure they had every opportunity to conspire. He even provided snacks.

“The Confidential Informant took the Wolverine Watchmen from YouTube copycats to a combat group with military-style training,” Johnson wrote in his entrapment motion, which is still pending.

Croft’s attorney, Blanchard, advanced a similar argument about the government overplaying its hand, focusing on the actions of Robeson. It was Robey who had invited Croft to the meeting in Dublin and, he suggested in court, paid to rent the conference room and lodging for some attendees. Robey helped organize the subsequent meetings in Wisconsin and in Peebles, Ohio, and Robey had a hand in convincing Croft to travel to Michigan in September just in time to spy on Whitmer’s lakefront home. Robey had even invited Higgins to Michigan, a foray that landed him in a jail cell.

Dan, of course, had not been charged. Nor had Robey — leading many to suspect that he too had been working on the government's behalf."

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kenbensinger/michigan-kidnapping-gretchen-whitmer-fbi-informant

[TSA]

Normally when the FBI thwarts an attack, particularly against an elected official of the United States, you would think the president would thank those heroic men and women for for their efforts. Instead, our president is more concerned that she said some mean things about him. And semen shields activated by the #BackTheBlue crowd. :lol

:lol thwarts an attack
:lol heroic efforts

[TSA]

let these mango, it was a set up.

:lol

[Ef-man]

The audacious plot to kidnap a sitting governor — seen by many as a precursor to the Jan. 6 assault on the US Capitol by hundreds of Trump-supporting protesters — has become one of the most important domestic terrorism investigations in a generation.

The prosecution has already emerged as a critical test for how the Biden administration approaches the growing threat of homegrown anti-government groups. More than that, though, the case epitomizes the ideological divisions that have riven the country over the past several years. To some, the FBI’s infiltration of the innermost circle of armed anti-government groups is a model for how to successfully forestall dangerous acts of domestic terrorism. But for others, it’s an example of precisely the kind of outrageous government overreach that radicalizes people in the first place, and, increasingly, a flashpoint for deep state conspiracy theories.

The government has documented at least 12 confidential informants who assisted the sprawling investigation. The trove of evidence they helped gather provides an unprecedented view into American extremism, laying out in often stunning detail the ways that anti-government groups network with each other and, in some cases, discuss violent actions.

An examination of the case by BuzzFeed News also reveals that some of those informants, acting under the direction of the FBI, played a far larger role than has previously been reported. Working in secret, they did more than just passively observe and report on the actions of the suspects. Instead, they had a hand in nearly every aspect of the alleged plot, starting with its inception. The extent of their involvement raises questions as to whether there would have even been a conspiracy without them.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kenbensinger/michigan-kidnapping-gretchen-whitmer-fbi-informant

much more at link.

Buzzfeednews. :lol

[ElNono]

:lol the FBI was 100% in on this

"An examination of the case by BuzzFeed News also reveals that some of those informants, acting under the direction of the FBI, played a far larger role than has previously been reported. Working in secret, they did more than just passively observe and report on the actions of the suspects. Instead, they had a hand in nearly every aspect of the alleged plot, starting with its inception. The extent of their involvement raises questions as to whether there would have even been a conspiracy without them.

A longtime government informant from Wisconsin, for example, helped organize a series of meetings around the country where many of the alleged plotters first met one another and the earliest notions of a plan took root, some of those people say. The Wisconsin informant even paid for some hotel rooms and food as an incentive to get people to come."

================================================== =====================================

"The Iraq War vet, for his part, became so deeply enmeshed in a Michigan militant group that he rose to become its second-in-command, encouraging members to collaborate with other potential suspects and paying for their transportation to meetings. He prodded the alleged mastermind of the kidnapping plot to advance his plan, then baited the trap that led to the arrest.


Johnson and the other defense lawyers have taken pains to note that despite his claims that he acted as a good Samaritan, Dan was rewarded financially for his work as an informant. In testimony, Dan described how his handlers eventually gave him envelopes of cash, covered his mortgage and car payment, and also bought him a phone, computer, and the new vehicle. When Dan sold his house in December because he was concerned people in the Patriot movement knew his address, the bureau even reimbursed him for what he testified was a $4,500 loss on the deal. The grand total for his seven months of work, including reimbursement for expenses, was $54,793.95, considerably more than most families in Dan’s part of Michigan bring home in a year.

“All of this evidence underscores the extremely active and coercive role the CHSs played in this matter,” wrote Scott Graham, Kaleb Franks’ attorney, in a motion filed last week.

Many of the defense attorneys have argued that the Watchmen would never have been involved in any kind of plot at all if it weren't for Dan. It was Dan, the combat veteran, who taught the Watchmen the military tactics that made them attractive to someone like Fox, the attorneys claimed.

It was Dan, too, they said, who had brought Fox into the group despite objections from multiple Watchmen that he seemed “crazy.” It was Dan, along with Robeson — another informant — who had supported Fox’s kidnapping plan, and Dan who acted as the personal chauffeur to the Watchmen, Fox, and others to ensure they had every opportunity to conspire. He even provided snacks.

“The Confidential Informant took the Wolverine Watchmen from YouTube copycats to a combat group with military-style training,” Johnson wrote in his entrapment motion, which is still pending.

Croft’s attorney, Blanchard, advanced a similar argument about the government overplaying its hand, focusing on the actions of Robeson. It was Robey who had invited Croft to the meeting in Dublin and, he suggested in court, paid to rent the conference room and lodging for some attendees. Robey helped organize the subsequent meetings in Wisconsin and in Peebles, Ohio, and Robey had a hand in convincing Croft to travel to Michigan in September just in time to spy on Whitmer’s lakefront home. Robey had even invited Higgins to Michigan, a foray that landed him in a jail cell.

Dan, of course, had not been charged. Nor had Robey — leading many to suspect that he too had been working on the government's behalf."

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kenbensinger/michigan-kidnapping-gretchen-whitmer-fbi-informant

We have entrapment laws in the books. It's a defense that very rarely works, but in this case, it's probably one of the very few defenses these people can throw out there (pleading insanity would be another one), so it's not surprising that's the road taken by the defense.

Entrapment defense requires proving two prongs: 1) government inducement of the crime and 2) the defendant's lack of predisposition to engage in the criminal conduct. Number 2 is by far the most important when it comes to this defense, and it's a especially high bar to meet.

Without the nitty gritty details of what every accused here has engaged in, I would think the prosecution feel pretty confident that they can prove the defendants were predisposed to engage in the criminal conduct, or they wouldn't have brought the case forward.

[TSA]

We have entrapment laws in the books. It's a defense that very rarely works, but in this case, it's probably one of the very few defenses these people can throw out there (pleading insanity would be another one), so it's not surprising that's the road taken by the defense.

Entrapment defense requires proving two prongs: 1) government inducement of the crime and 2) the defendant's lack of predisposition to engage in the criminal conduct. Number 2 is by far the most important when it comes to this defense, and it's a especially high bar to meet.

Without the nitty gritty details of what every accused here has engaged in, I would think the prosecution feel pretty confident that they can prove the defendants were predisposed to engage in the criminal conduct, or they wouldn't have brought the case forward.Prosecution not off to the best start.

"Meanwhile, Gregory Townsend, one of the lead prosecutors handling the cases against eight of the defendants in Michigan state court, was reassigned in May pending an attorney general audit into whether he had withheld evidence about deals cut with informants during a murder and arson trial in Oakland County in 2000. And on Sunday, in a matter apparently unrelated to the alleged kidnapping conspiracy, one of the lead FBI agents in the case, Richard J. Trask, was charged in state court in Kalamazoo with assault with intent to do great bodily harm."



Will be an interesting thing to follow for sure.

"Attorneys for all but one of the defendants declined invitations to comment on the record for this story. To date, one defendant has formally accused the government of entrapment, arguing that the FBI assembled the key plotters, encouraged the group's anti-government feelings, and even gave its members military-style training. Additional defendants have said they plan to make similar claims when the cases, divided between federal and state court, go to trial starting as soon as October.

Last week, the lawyer for one defendant filed a motion that included texts from an FBI agent to a key informant, the Iraq War veteran, directing him to draw specific people into the conspiracy — potential evidence of entrapment that he said the government “inadvertently disclosed.” He is requesting all texts sent and received by that informant, and other attorneys are now considering motions that accuse the government of intentionally withholding evidence of entrapment."

[ElNono]

Prosecution not off to the best start.

"Meanwhile, Gregory Townsend, one of the lead prosecutors handling the cases against eight of the defendants in Michigan state court, was reassigned in May pending an attorney general audit into whether he had withheld evidence about deals cut with informants during a murder and arson trial in Oakland County in 2000. And on Sunday, in a matter apparently unrelated to the alleged kidnapping conspiracy, one of the lead FBI agents in the case, Richard J. Trask, was charged in state court in Kalamazoo with assault with intent to do great bodily harm."

Will be an interesting thing to follow for sure.

"Attorneys for all but one of the defendants declined invitations to comment on the record for this story. To date, one defendant has formally accused the government of entrapment, arguing that the FBI assembled the key plotters, encouraged the group's anti-government feelings, and even gave its members military-style training. Additional defendants have said they plan to make similar claims when the cases, divided between federal and state court, go to trial starting as soon as October.

Last week, the lawyer for one defendant filed a motion that included texts from an FBI agent to a key informant, the Iraq War veteran, directing him to draw specific people into the conspiracy — potential evidence of entrapment that he said the government “inadvertently disclosed.” He is requesting all texts sent and received by that informant, and other attorneys are now considering motions that accuse the government of intentionally withholding evidence of entrapment."

I don't think the judge cares about anything unrelated to this case (and he/she shouldn't). That just sounds like a poor attempt at trying to muddy the waters.

If prosecution has evidence these people were willing (ie: took over acts) to follow through with the plot (regardless if the government came up with it or not), that's enough to dismiss an entrapment defense. This is why the bar for that defense is pretty high.

We'll see what that evidence looks like and where this goes.

[Blake]

TSA hoping these traitors don't do any time

[TSA]

I don't think the judge cares about anything unrelated to this case (and he/she shouldn't). That just sounds like a poor attempt at trying to muddy the waters.

If prosecution has evidence these people were willing (ie: took over acts) to follow through with the plot (regardless if the government came up with it or not), that's enough to dismiss an entrapment defense. This is why the bar for that defense is pretty high.

We'll see what that evidence looks like and where this goes.

Michigan has a different bar for entrapment.

Unlike the federal government, Michigan uses an objective test for entrapment which focuses on the conduct of the government agents rather than the predisposition of the defendant.vii 12.A defendant has been entrapped if either, (1) the police engage in impermissible conduct that would induce an otherwise law-abiding person similarly situated to the defendant to commit the crime, or (2) the police engaged in conduct so reprehensible that it cannot be tolerated by the courts.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21011395-musico-entrapmentfinal

Discovery for defense will be very interesting if motion to compel is granted

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21011397-caserta-motion-to-compel-discovery

[RandomGuy]

We have entrapment laws in the books. It's a defense that very rarely works, but in this case, it's probably one of the very few defenses these people can throw out there (pleading insanity would be another one), so it's not surprising that's the road taken by the defense.

Entrapment defense requires proving two prongs: 1) government inducement of the crime and 2) the defendant's lack of predisposition to engage in the criminal conduct. Number 2 is by far the most important when it comes to this defense, and it's a especially high bar to meet.

Without the nitty gritty details of what every accused here has engaged in, I would think the prosecution feel pretty confident that they can prove the defendants were predisposed to engage in the criminal conduct, or they wouldn't have brought the case forward.

The core of modern conservatism is dishonesty, and violence.

These extremists are predisposed to the latter. They embrace it and prepare for it.

Not surprising that they got caught at it.

[TSA]

TSA hoping these traitors don't do any time

FBI entrapment good now.

[RandomGuy]

TSA hoping these traitors don't do any time

:cry they are innocent victims who would never have done anything to hurt anybody :cry

How niave can one get? smh

[TSA]

The core of modern conservatism is dishonesty, and violence.

These extremists are predisposed to the latter. They embrace it and prepare for it.

Not surprising that they got caught at it.Welp....

Michigan uses an objective test for entrapment which focuses on the conduct of the government agents rather than the predisposition of the defendant

[RandomGuy]

Welp....

Michigan uses an objective test for entrapment which focuses on the conduct of the government agents rather than the predisposition of the defendant

so what?

[Ef-man]

so what?

Sorry for not being more active on this thread.

I am working very hard in Korea and am 100% busy 24/7 and they have no internet in the entire country.

[ElNono]

Michigan has a different bar for entrapment.

Unlike the federal government, Michigan uses an objective test for entrapment which focuses on the conduct of the government agents rather than the predisposition of the defendant.vii 12.A defendant has been entrapped if either, (1) the police engage in impermissible conduct that would induce an otherwise law-abiding person similarly situated to the defendant to commit the crime, or (2) the police engaged in conduct so reprehensible that it cannot be tolerated by the courts.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21011395-musico-entrapmentfinal

Discovery for defense will be very interesting if motion to compel is granted

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21011397-caserta-motion-to-compel-discovery

I'm pretty sure this is a federal case? About federal rules, see:

https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-645-entrapment-elements

[ElNono]

Welp....

Michigan uses an objective test for entrapment which focuses on the conduct of the government agents rather than the predisposition of the defendant

Is this a State case? I thought this was United States vs ...

[ChumpDumper]

Is this a State case? I thought this was United States vs ...I believe six were charged with federal crimes (one already pleaded guilty). Eight more face state charges.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-michigan-whitmer/man-pleads-guilty-to-charge-of-conspiracy-to-kidnap-michigan-governor-idUSKBN29W287

[ElNono]

I believe six were charged with federal crimes (one already pleaded guilty). Eight more face state charges.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-michigan-whitmer/man-pleads-guilty-to-charge-of-conspiracy-to-kidnap-michigan-governor-idUSKBN29W287

:tu was going by the thread title

[Ef-man]

Is this a State case? I thought this was United States vs ...

I apologize for tsa’s confusion as he was in korea working 24/7 for many months and the country has no internet. So he was not well informed but definitely not hiding.

[TSA]

I apologize for tsa’s confusion as he was in korea working 24/7 for many months and the country has no internet. So he was not well informed but definitely not hiding.

I literally linked the State Court case document the quote was pulled from.

But hey at least you got to give your failed schtick another try :lol

[TSA]

I'm pretty sure this is a federal case? About federal rules, see:

https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-645-entrapment-elements

Both State and Federal. But the only defendant who has formally accused the FBI of entrapment is a State case.

[Winehole23]

FBI playing a double game? Enticing bad guys while targeting Governors it doesn't like?

Possible win/win.

1432353837998874628

[SnakeBoy]

An attorney representing one of the men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has made the unusual move of requesting immunity for FBI agents and undercover informants involved in the case.

The FBI agents and sources were "intertwined in the alleged criminal activity" and have every reason to invoke their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, Scott Graham, the attorney for defendant Kaleb Franks, said in a court filing. Graham requested that a federal judge compel the government to grant immunity to its agents and sources, whose testimony he said is "crucial" for the entrapment defense he plans to pursue during the March 8 trial.

The move comes after prosecutors confirmed in mid-December that they would not call on three FBI agents closely linked to the investigation due to allegations of personal and professional misconduct. Defense attorneys have also motioned to allow jurors to be shown more than 250 text messages and recordings of statements FBI agents, informants, and their defendants made during the investigation, which they say proves that the government "conceived and controlled every aspect" of the plot to kidnap Whitmer.

[ChumpDumper]

:lol I request immunity for the people I'm accusing of being in on a conspiracy against my client.

[koriwhat]

An attorney representing one of the men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has made the unusual move of requesting immunity for FBI agents and undercover informants involved in the case.

The FBI agents and sources were "intertwined in the alleged criminal activity" and have every reason to invoke their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, Scott Graham, the attorney for defendant Kaleb Franks, said in a court filing. Graham requested that a federal judge compel the government to grant immunity to its agents and sources, whose testimony he said is "crucial" for the entrapment defense he plans to pursue during the March 8 trial.

The move comes after prosecutors confirmed in mid-December that they would not call on three FBI agents closely linked to the investigation due to allegations of personal and professional misconduct. Defense attorneys have also motioned to allow jurors to be shown more than 250 text messages and recordings of statements FBI agents, informants, and their defendants made during the investigation, which they say proves that the government "conceived and controlled every aspect" of the plot to kidnap Whitmer.

What do False Flags and the FBI have in common? EVERYTHING!

[ElNono]

An attorney representing one of the men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has made the unusual move of requesting immunity for FBI agents and undercover informants involved in the case.

The FBI agents and sources were "intertwined in the alleged criminal activity" and have every reason to invoke their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, Scott Graham, the attorney for defendant Kaleb Franks, said in a court filing. Graham requested that a federal judge compel the government to grant immunity to its agents and sources, whose testimony he said is "crucial" for the entrapment defense he plans to pursue during the March 8 trial.

The move comes after prosecutors confirmed in mid-December that they would not call on three FBI agents closely linked to the investigation due to allegations of personal and professional misconduct. Defense attorneys have also motioned to allow jurors to be shown more than 250 text messages and recordings of statements FBI agents, informants, and their defendants made during the investigation, which they say proves that the government "conceived and controlled every aspect" of the plot to kidnap Whitmer.

FBI good now... :lmao

[GAustex]

Ol fwappy ass soon will peddling that wore out hole on the mean streets of Detroit

[Winehole23]

weak case, shifty prosecution

1512530173056348167

[Trill Clinton]

privilege

[GAustex]

Ol fwappy ass soon will peddling that wore out hole on the mean streets of Detroit

[GAustex]

Ol fwappy ass soon will peddling that wore out hole on the mean streets of Detroit
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/04/just-federal-prosecutor-drops-governor-whitmer-alleged-kidnapping-case/

[Nathan89]

The regime needed this to help win the election. The FBI needs to be disbanded.

[Thread]

The regime needed this to help win the election. The FBI needs to be disbanded.

Nathan

[ChumpDumper]

The regime needed this to help win the election. The FBI needs to be disbanded.

So now you think the FBI is a bunch of leftists too.:lol

[Winehole23]

that's hilarious