Michigan men sentenced in Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot to 12 years in prison
Rachel Schilke
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Two men found guilty of aiding leaders in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) were sentenced on Thursday.
Pete Musico, 45, received a sentence of at least 12 years, and his son-in-law, Joseph Morrison, 28, received 10 years. Paul Bellar, 24, is awaiting his sentence at the same hearing.
TRIAL ORDERED FOR FIVE MEN ACCUSED IN PLOT TO KIDNAP WHITMER
Musico and Morrison will be eligible for parole after serving their minimum sentences, with the maximum amount of time in prison set at 42 years under state law, per WZZM 13.
The trio was found guilty on Oct. 26 and faced up to 22 years in prison — 20 for providing material support and two for felony weapons charges.
The three men were part of the Wolverine Watchmen militia, which helped train ringleaders Adam Fox and Barry Croft for the kidnapping plot, prosecutors argued during the trial. Whitmer was never physically harmed after undercover FBI agents that were inside the group for months foiled the plot and made arrests in October 2020.
A federal jury found Croft and Fox guilty of kidnapping, conspiracy, and attempting to procure a weapon of mass destruction in August after a mistrial in June.
Musico and Morrison’s sentencing comes five days after Fox’s attorney argued in court that he should not be sentenced to life in prison, stating that prosecutors created a “false narrative of a terrifying para-military leader.”
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Prosecutors told the court on Dec. 5 in their sentencing recommendation that a life prison sentence would be justified for Fox, saying his goal in the 2020 kidnapping plot was an example of “rampant anti-government extremism.”
Fox’s sentencing is set for Dec. 27. Croft will be sentenced on Dec. 28.