LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Tuesday, WWMT reported that three of the suspects charged in the alleged plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer were denied bond in Federal court.
The suspects in question, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta, have all been ordered to be held until the trial takes place.
The three were in court for the case overseen by U.S. Magistrate Judge Sally Berens, who believes all three suspects pose a risk to the public should they be allowed bail. All three face charges of Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping, which could result in a life sentence.
Two of the other suspects charged, Ty Garbin and Adam Fox, will have their bond hearings this Friday. Another suspect, Barry Croft of Delaware, has been ordered to be extradited to Michigan to face his charges. He has already been apprehended.
Attorney Scott Graham, representing Kaleb Franks, stated that he believed the plot was nothing more than a lot of “big talk,” and that the plan wouldn’t have actually been carried out. He also stated that Franks was a “follower” and did not pose a risk to society should he be granted bond.
However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler said that the plot appeared to be serious, and should be treated as such.
Aside from the kidnapping plot, other allegations against the group members include the murder of police officers, the crafting of homemade explosives, the possibility of leaving Governor Whitmer on a boat in Lake Michigan, running surveillance checks on Whitmer’s vacation home, storming the Lansing Capitol building and taking Governor Whitmer to an unspecified area for a “trial.”
Reports indicate that it may have been a location in Wisconsin.
The case was originally brought to the attention of the FBI after posts on social media discussed overthrowing the government. Multiple undercover agents agreed to become informants.
Further details released Tuesday suggest the group had discussed a similar plot to kidnap Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, but it is currently unknown to what extent that had been talked about.
In total, 13 men are facing charges in this case. The court proceeding will continue this Friday, October 16.
More details on the kidnapping plot can be found here.
