Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: 7 martyrs and wounded after an Israeli drone bombed a group of Palestinians while they were preparing a water well at the end of Al-Jalaa Street, north of Gaza.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza: 122 martyrs as a result of Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip since dawn today.
Senior Palestinian Resistance official to Al Mayadeen: During yesterday's round of negotiations in Doha, "Israel" insisted on releasing captives as part of a transitional phase, while Hamas adhered to comprehensive package
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: A date has been set for the next round of indirect talks with the US, and it will be announced soon
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Two people, including a soldier, were injured in an Israeli airstrike near the town of Beit Yahoun, Bint Jbeil District, in South Lebanon
Araghchi: Iran is committed to diplomacy and expects the lifting of unjust and unilateral sanctions that directly target its people
Araghchi: We want a fair and balanced agreement reached within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with full respect for Iran's nuclear rights
Araghchi: Iran has always sought to alleviate legitimate international concerns about its nuclear program through transparency
Araghchi: Iran is committed to the principle of not producing or deploying weapons of mass destruction
Araghchi: Iran is committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has never sought to possess nuclear weapons based on its principles

'Architect' of Gov. Whitmer kidnap conspiracy gets longest prison term

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 Dec 2022 10:32
4 Min Read

According to sources, members of the cell were reportedly angry over the Covid-19 restriction Governor Whitmer had put in place. 

  • x
  • Judge orders longest prison term so far in Gov. Whitmer plot
    Barry Croft Jr. 

A judge commissioned with charging suspects involved in the conspiracy to kidnap Michigan's governor, Gretchen Whitmor, charged Barry Croft Jr. to more than 19 years in prison on Wednesday, the Justice Department reported on Wednesday. 

Croft, 47, is a Delaware trucker who was among four militiamen convicted in the plot to kidnap the Governor on October 2020.

Croft was also charged with possessing an unregistered explosive device. 

He received the longest term in comparison to his two other peers, Ty Garbin, 27, who received a sentence of 2.5 years and is already freed,  Adam Fox, 39, who received a sentence of 16 years, and Kaleb Franks, 28, who received a term of 4 years after pleading guilty.

The DoJ sought to give Fox a life sentence but instead charged him with 16 years in prison a day prior to Croft's sentencing.  

Prosecutors initially thought of giving Croft a life sentence due to him being “the idea guy” behind the conspiracy and “a very convincing communicator" in inviting people to join the plot, according to Judge Robert J. Jonker. 

"However twisted or irrational it may seem to many of us, it did resonate to the targeted audience," the judge said. "That is as important a method of leadership as being out in the field telling people where to go."
 
Croft's attorney, Joshua Blanchard, said he would appeal the court's decision. According to him, Croft was not the “ideas guy” and “most of what Mr. Croft said was excluded because the government didn’t want the jury to hear it.”

According to reports, Croft and Adam Fox were charged in August with conspiracy to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer. 

"According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Croft and others intended to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer from her vacation cottage near Elk Rapids, Michigan, and use the destructive devices to facilitate their plot by harming and hindering the governor’s security detail and any responding law enforcement officers," the statement by the DoJ read.

"They specifically explored placing a bomb under an interstate overpass near a pedestrian boardwalk. A jury in an earlier trial was unable to reach a verdict," the statement added. 

According to sources, the culprits were reportedly angry over the Covid-19 restriction Governor Whitmer had put in place. 

Related News

New White House website claims COVID-19 caused by 'China lab leak'

US vaccine chief jumps ship citing RFK 'lies': Media

They were also against her staunch position against gun ownership. 

Read more: DeSantis vs. Trump; a cold war getting 'hotter and hotter' - The Hill

Since the FBI was secretly monitoring the group, their attempt was eventually foiled, and Whitmer was left unharmed. 

The bureau carried out a total of 14 arrests. 

"We’re talking about a conspiracy to physically kidnap the governor, potentially assassinate her as well. It doesn’t get much more serious than that," Jonker said before announcing Croft's sentence.

"The group had a lot of guns. This group had all kinds of material ready to go to achieve their end."

Assistant Attorney Nils Kessler described Croft as the "spiritual leader" of the group of conspirators, and even compared his role to “some sheikh in ISIS."

“He essentially was putting himself as a role of a prophet ... there are people who believe this sort of rhetoric, and he used it,” Kessler told the judge.
 
“This man is fully radicalized. He hasn’t changed his viewpoint,” Kessler added. "He’s not admitting the ideas are wrong because he still holds them. This whole thing was Mr. Croft’s idea.”

According to Croft's attorney, Croft did not really lead the group and was rather annoying to his peers because he "just kept talking". Instead, Blanchard said his client "went way down a conspiracy rabbit hole."

“When the pandemic touched off, a lot of people went down a similar rabbit hole and suddenly Mr. Croft was connected with a lot of people who felt the same way he did," Blanchard told the judge.

Whitmer blamed former President Donald Trump over the incident and accused him of giving "comfort to those who spread fear and hatred and division."

Earlier this year, Trump said in August that the kidnapping plan was a "fake deal".

Read more: Trump's taxes to be released by House committee after 3-year tug

  • COVID-19
  • Trump
  • Extremism
  • Gun laws

Most Read

Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

  • Politics
  • 15 May 2025
Two F-35 jets arrive at it's new operational base Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Hill Air Force Base, in northern Utah. (AP)

F-35 near-misses over Yemen signal new risks for 'Israel': Forbes

  • Politics
  • 14 May 2025
Abu Obaida

Abu Obeida posts shortly after Israeli reports about his assassination

  • Palestine
  • 15 May 2025
YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben-Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

  • MENA
  • 18 May 2025

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks up during a press statement at the Carmelite Monastery in the Buda Castle in Budapest, Hungary, April 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Under US pressure, Netanyahu allows limited Gaza aid, bypasses Cabinet

A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' commits massacres during talks to pressure Hamas: Official

In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks to navy officials, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Nuclear deal with US possible if intimidation tactics stop: Pezeshkian

Israeli forces inspect the site where a projectile fired by the Yemeni Armed Forces landed in the area of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, on Sunday, May 4, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Yemen warns airlines against flights to Ben Gurion amid blockade

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS