GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The 6 men accused of plotting to kidnap Governor Whitmer and incite a civil war in Michigan are now facing an indictment by a federal grand jury.
Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were previously charged through a federal complaint, but the U.S. Constitution requires felony cases like this to go before a grand jury before the defendants can be put on trial.
According to investigators, the 6 men planned on how to kidnap the Governor from a vacation home in northern Michigan, then take her by boat to Wisconsin where they would hold a trial. Conversations between the members of the militia group called the Wolverine Watchmen show at least one of the men wanted to execute Whitmer on live TV.
Police say the men also wanted to storm the state capitol, take hostages, and incite a civil war in Michigan.
One of the men, Adam Fox, had been living in the basement of a Wyoming business and held meetings with the group there.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced the grand jury's decision Thursday, just hours before 5 of the suspects were due to appear in court.
READ THE FULL GRAND JURY INDICTMENT
Another 7 men are charged in state courts for allegedly assisting in the planning and collecting resources for the group.
