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Ty Garbin has agreed to help prosecutors who claim a group of men sought to kidnap and punish Michigan’s Democratic governor for ordering a statewide lockdown to slow the spread of Covid-19.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a speech in Lansing last October. (Michigan Office of the Governor via AP)
DETROIT (CN) A man who was part of a group that prosecutors say planned to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer pleaded guilty Wednesday to a conspiracy charge.
Ty Garbin, 25, of Hartland Township, said he would cooperate fully with prosecutors, according to a plea agreement filed in Western Michigan federal courts. He admitted his guilt at a change of plea hearing in Grand Rapids before Chief U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker, a George W. Bush appointee. No agreement has been reached on final sentencing guidelines.
Law enforcement officers ring state capitol buildings nationwide, bracing for protesters and attempted repeats of the storming of the U.S. Capitol last week.
“This is probably the most committed violent extremist of the entire group,” Asst. U.S. Atty. Nils Kessler told the magistrate judge. “There is no question this is a person committed to violent extremism and he is the one who brought the bomb.”
Croft’s lawyer, Joshua Blanchard, objected to the government mentioning the 3 Percenters role in the Capitol riot and said Croft and others accused in the kidnapping plot were simply “airing grievances” and lacked a plan.
Alleged leader in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot faces first Michigan court appearance
Updated Jan 13, 2021;
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – An alleged leader of a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to make his initial Michigan court appearance on Wednesday, Jan. 13, court records show.
Barry Croft Jr., 44, of Bear, Delaware, is facing arraignment and a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sally Berens in Grand Rapids.
Croft, one of six men facing federal charges in the alleged abduction plot, was arrested Oct. 8 in Delaware. He had been held in the Philadelphia Federal Detention Center awaiting transfer to the Newaygo County Jail, which has a contract to house federal prisoners.