Man charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan governor pleads guilty

One of the men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has agreed to plead guilty, according to a plea agreement Wednesday.

Six men were charged in October with conspiring to kidnap Whitmer. Garbin, along with Daniel Harris, Kaleb Franks and Brandon Caserta, were members of the Michigan-based “militia” group Wolverine Watchmen.

Ty Gerard Garbin agreed to plead guilty to kidnapping conspiracy on Tuesday. The statutory maximum sentence that can be imposed is imprisonment for life, a fine of $250,000, five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. He agreed to fully cooperate with the seizure and forfeiture of all assets, including a search of him, his home and property, and his vehicle.

According to the document, they, along with another man Adam Fox, had a meeting where they discussed storming the Michigan State Capitol. During the meeting, Fox proposed kidnapping Whitmer and holding her for trial.

Throughout summer 2020, Garbin and other Wolverine Watchmen members met for “tactical training” and a “field training exercise.” During these meetings, Fox raised the plan to kidnap the governor and suggested targeting the governor’s vacation home. The group surveilled Whitmer’s summer home and planned to acquire explosives. The group was arrested after meeting with an undercover FBI agent.

The US Attorney’s Office agreed not to file additional charges against Garbin for the conspiracy to kidnap.