Newly released videos show Michigan militia training for Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot
Wolverine Watchmen planned to ‘try’ Gretchen Whitmer for lockdown measures
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Training exercises by the militia that plotted to capture the governor of Michigan have been released in shocking new videos.
In one clip a group of men dressed in military gear get out of a car and fire rounds from assault rifles into the distance. Two other videos show men training in the quick reloading of assault rifles, and another shows one man working a Taser weapon.
Authorities say the group had run surveillance on the governor’s northern Michigan holiday home and inspected a nearby bridge as a location for a bomb.
In another video put into evidence by prosecutors, suspect Brandon Caserta talked into a camera about taking action against “government thugs that rob people everyday.”
“If this whole things starts to happen, I’m telling you what dude, I’m taking out as many of those m****r f*****s as I can. Every single one. Every single one,” he says.
The video formed part of the evidence submitted by federal prosecutors during a two day court hearing in the state.
After the hearing US district magistrate Judge Sally Berens ordered the cases of five men facing federal charges be presented to a grand jury.
Adam Fox, 37, of Grand Rapids, Ty Garbin, 24, of Hartland Township, Kaleb Franks, 26, of Waterford, Daniel Harris, 23, of Lake Orion and Brandon Caserta, 33, of Canton, were all named in the criminal complaint.
Barry Croft, 44, of Delaware, who is also named is still waiting to make his first appearance in a Michigan federal court.
All six men are being held without bail.
Lawyers for the defendants told the hearing that their clients were being prosecuted for their interest in firearms and anti-government opinions.
Attorney Mark Satawa, representing Garbin, told the hearing that his client’s right to free speech and assembly, as well as his right to bear firearms had been violated in the probe.
Eight others men face state charges: Paul Bellar, 21, of Milford; Shawn Fix, 38, of Belleville; Eric Molitor, 36, of Cadillac; Michael Null, 38, of Plainwell; William Null, 38, of Shelbyville; Pete Musico, 42, and Joseph Morrison, 26, of Munith; and Brian Higgins, 51, of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments