Oct 7, 2022 - Politics & Policy

Michigan man sentenced to 4 years over plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Rebecca Falconer

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces new economic development projects at an event on October 5, 2022 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at an event in Rapids, Michigan, on Tuesday. Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

A Michigan man involved in a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) in 2020 was sentenced to four years in prison on Thursday, federal prosecutors announced.

The big picture: Kaleb Franks, 28, of Waterford, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiring to kidnap the Michigan governor, had faced up to life in prison. But his sentence was reduced due to such factors as testifying at two federal trials, per a Department of Justice statement.

Those trials "cumulatively resulted in the convictions of co-defendants Adam Fox and Barry Croft and the acquittals of Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta," the DOJ noted.
Ty Garbin, who was the first person to plead guilty in the case, had his prison sentence reduced from 75 months to 30 months due to his cooperation at the trials.

Context: The FBI said in October 2020 its agents uncovered a plot to violently overthrow the government and kidnap Whitmer because the plotters believed she and other elected officials were violating the U.S. Constitution with measures such as pandemic restrictions.

What's next: Fox and Croft are due to be sentenced in December.

Franks, who must also pay a $2,500 fine, will be placed under court supervision for three years following his release from federal prison, according to the DOJ.

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Michigan man sentenced to 4 years over plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

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