Three men found guilty of assisting with a plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan in 2020 were sentenced on Thursday to lengthy sentences that could land them in jail for at least seven years.
Three men Paul Bellar, 24, Joseph Morrison, 28, and Pete Musico, 45, were convicted in October of aiding a conspiracy to kidnap Governor Whitmer, a Democrat, as part of right-wing backlash against her role in state government. Limit covid. The men, all Michigan residents, were found guilty of providing material assistance to acts of terrorism and unlawful gang membership, as well as felony gun felonies.
The trial is one of a series of cases arising from the domestic terrorism investigation into the kidnapping plot. Federal prosecutors have reached mixed results, with some convicted and others acquitted. Overall, the cases are seen as highlighting the growing threat of political violence in the US.
Judge Thomas Wilson, chief justice of the Jackson County Circuit and Probate Court, sentenced Mr. Musico to a minimum of 12 years in prison, including consecutive sentences of 5 to 20 years for gang membership, and 5 to 20 years for gang membership. one count of assisting terrorist acts and two years for the use of a firearm.
Mr Morrison was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison, including two consecutive sentences of four to 20 years for gang membership and aiding acts of terrorism, and a further two years for weapons offences.
Mr. Bellar received a minimum of seven years in prison, with concurrent sentences of five to 20 years for gang membership and four to 20 years for aiding acts of terrorism, as well as two consecutive years. for the use of a gun.
The three men will each serve a maximum prison term of no more than 20 years.
During arguments before Judge Wilson, the defendants’ attorneys argued that the three men were peripheral to the kidnapping plot and emphasized that there was no evidence that Governor Whitmer had suffered psychological trauma. serious consequences for this conspiracy.
Sunita Doddamani, assistant attorney general, urged Judge Wilson to impose consecutive sentences in the highest third of the state’s guidelines.
“It is time to hold them accountable with long prison sentences because the goal of terrorism is to create fear,” Ms. Doddamani said. “And the only way to defeat it is to not give in to that fear.”
The men were found guilty of being illegal gang members stemming from their relationship with Wolverine Watchmen, a militia whose members openly discuss violence against politicians and police officers.
During the pandemic, Governor Whitmer became the target of anti-government groups, who saw her Covid control measures as authoritarian. She is easy re-election last monthdefeated a Republican opponent endorsed by former President Donald J. Trump.
In a recorded video, Governor Whitmer said the kidnapping plot had a markedly negative impact on her and urged Judge Wilson to “impose a sentence that meets the severity of the threat against her.” with our democracy.”
“Now I scan the crowd for threats,” she said. “I thought carefully about the last thing I said to everyone when we parted. I worry about the safety of those around me when I’m in public.”
Mr. Morrison; his father-in-law, Mr. Musico; and Mr. Bellar gun training organization in Jackson County of Michigan with Adam Fox, the leader of the kidnapping plot. Although the men convicted on Thursday were not charged with committing acts of terrorism, prosecutors told the jury that the defendants’ actions supported a conspiracy that led to the crime. evil.
Earlier this year, Mr. Fox and his accomplice, Barry Croft, convicted in federal court plot to kidnap Governor Whitmer. Mr Fox and Mr Croft, both of which face life in prison, are expected to be sentenced this month.
“Your Honor, I misjudged,” Mr. Musico told Judge Wilson in a hesitant voice. “I am a good citizen, I am a family man, I have taken care of my family for a very long time.”
In a statement to the court, Mr Morrison renounced the Wolverine Watchmen and expressed regret for having linked up with anti-government extremist groups.
He said: “I really regret allowing myself to have any relationship with people with such ideas, especially Mr. “I regret ever letting hate, fear, and anger invade my heart the way I did.”
Before Judge Wilson, Mr. Bellar apologized to Governor Whitmer, saying he “didn’t mean to harm her,” as well as apologizing to his friends and family members in the courtroom.
In a briefing after the sentencing hearing, Dana Nessel, Michigan’s attorney general, said the length of the sentence should serve as a warning against extremist practices in the United States.
“Acts of domestic terrorism will be dealt with by the criminal justice system with the utmost seriousness and severity,” she said.
