Wisconsin man extradited, arraigned in Wolverine Watchmen case
The Wisconsin man charged for his alleged participation in a domestic terrorism plot that included storming the Michigan Capitol and kidnapping elected officials has been arraigned, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday.
Capitol investigators try to sort real tips from noise
U.S. Capitol Police with guns drawn stand near a barricaded door as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON โ Potential threats and leads are pouring in to law enforcement agencies nationwide after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Investigators are combing through a mountain of online posts, street surveillance and other intelligence, including information that suggests mobs could try to storm the Capitol again and threats to kill some members of Congress. A day before the deadly attack on the Capitol, the FBI sent an intelligence bulletin warning of potential violence to other agencies, including the Capitol Police. Since last week, the FBI has opened 170 case files and received more than 100,000 pieces of digital media.
Capitol investigators try to sort real tips from noise
U.S. Capitol Police with guns drawn stand near a barricaded door as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON โ Potential threats and leads are pouring in to law enforcement agencies nationwide after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Investigators are combing through a mountain of online posts, street surveillance and other intelligence, including information that suggests mobs could try to storm the Capitol again and threats to kill some members of Congress. A day before the deadly attack on the Capitol, the FBI sent an intelligence bulletin warning of potential violence to other agencies, including the Capitol Police. Since last week, the FBI has opened 170 case files and received more than 100,000 pieces of digital media.
Federal grand jury indicts 6 in terrorist plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
LANSING, Mich. โ A federal grand jury indicted six men in the domestic terrorist plot to kidnap or kill Gov. The group had allegedly stated they wanted to make their move on Whitmer before the Nov. 3 Election Day. Whitmer kidnapping plotHereโs a look at the full indictment filed Dec. 16, 2020:Extradition delayed for Wisconsin man charged in kidnap plotA Wisconsin man accused the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer should be extradited to Michigan, but he will be given a chance to appeal first, a judge ruled. In October, Higgins became the 14th person in connection with the alleged domestic terror plot targeting Whitmer.
6 indicted in Whitmer kidnapping plot; feds say 1 called for killing police officers
The six men involved in the plot allegedly were part of a militia group called the Wolverine Watchmen. We know the stories of their alleged planned exploits -- surveilling Michigan Gov. (WDIV)Five Michigan residents -- Adam Fox, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Caserta -- and Barry Croft, of Delaware, were charged with conspiring to kidnap Whitmer. Whitmer kidnapping plotHereโs a look at the full indictment filed Dec. 16, 2020:Extradition delayed for Wisconsin man charged in kidnap plotA Wisconsin man accused the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. In October, Higgins became the 14th person in connection with the alleged domestic terror plot targeting Whitmer.
Extradition delayed for Wisconsin man charged in kidnap plot
PORTAGE, Wis. โ A Wisconsin man accused in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer should be extradited to Michigan, but he will be given a chance to appeal first, a judge ruled. Brian Higgins was allegedly part of a crew conducting surveillance of the governorโs vacation home for the kidnapping plot. The Wisconsin Dells man, 52, is jailed in Columbia County until the appeal of his extradition is decided. The plotters planned to storm Michiganโs state Capitol building and kidnap officials, including the Democratic governor, officials said.
Guns, maps, audio recordings -- New evidence in terrorist plot against Whitmer revealed
LANSING, Mich. โ Local 4 Defenders collected new, never-before-seen evidence against the 14 men accused of the terrorist plot to kidnap and possibly kill Gov. Video shows one Wolverine Watchmen member show off his weapons -- including suppressors or silencers, and a locker packed with firearms. Another member, Brandon Caserta of Canton, is seen showing off a 800,000-volt electroshock weapon that federal investigators said he wanted to use on Whitmer. The goal was allegedly to assemble 200 men to storm the Michigan Capitol Building and take hostages -- including Whitmer. The affidavit indicates that Croft not only wanted to go after Whitmer, but other governors across the country.
Televised executions, arson, new details revealed in terrorist plot against Michigan Gov. Whitmer
Gretchen Whitmer also had two other plots to kill Michigan politicians involving public executions and mass murder in the ongoing case, according to newly discovered court filings in a Michigan district court. According to the recent filings, members of the group had a Plan B which was initially Plan A. The group would storm the capitol while the legislature was in session, lock the doors and burn the capitol to the ground. One associate had allegedly attempted to take โselfiesโ to document entrances and exits at the capitol at a recent rally. This week the Governors of both Michigan and Wisconsin have filed the paperwork to have him extradited to Michigan.
New warrants issued for Wisconsin man charged in plot to kidnap Michigan governor
An alleged co-conspirator of the foiled domestic terror plot appeared in a Wisconsin court on Wednesday. He is accused of providing material support to the โWolverine Watchmenโ in their effort to allegedly attempt to kidnap the Michigan governor. Brian Higgins, of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, appeared in a hearing Wednesday via YouTube. District Attorney Brenda Yaskal says there is now a warrant for Higginsโ arrest in both Michigan and Wisconsin. Higgins allegedly traveled to Michigan to take part in the groupโs surveillance of the governorโs home up north.
Prosecution against 8 men in Michigan domestic terror plot continues
JACKSON COUNTY, Mich. โ Michigan Attorney General Dana Nesselโs prosecution against the eight men facing domestic terrorism charges for an alleged plot to storm the Capitol building and kidnap elected officials, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, continued Friday with a bond hearing for two of the defendants in Jackson County 12th District Court. He remains lodged in the Jackson County Jail. Brian Higgins, 52, of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, is being extradited to Michigan from Columbia County, Wisconsin. Future court dates for Antrim County defendants can be tracked online at the courtโs website, while those for Jackson County defendants can also be tracked online.
Wisconsin man charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot released on $10K bail
A Wisconsin man charged in connection with the plot to kidnap Gov. Court records show Brian Higgins, 51, of Wisconsin Dells, posted bail on Monday and attended his extradition hearing in the case. Read: Officials charge 14th person linked to domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov. Prosecutors said Higgins joined a group called the Wolverine Watchmen, which had been conspiring for months to kidnap Whitmer. Brian Higgins was charged after the FBI uncovered a domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov.
5 men charged in domestic terror plot against Gov. Whitmer bound over for trial
LANSING, Mich. โ Five of the men charged in an alleged domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov. FBI officials said the men were captured on audio tapes plotting to kidnap or kill Whitmer and overthrow the state Capitol Building. Brian Higgins was charged after the FBI uncovered a domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov. FBI officials said the alleged plot was to storm the state Capitol Building or kidnap Whitmer from her northern Michigan vacation home. FBI officials said they were able to stop the men before that happened.
Defense questions whether domestic terror group targeting Whitmer would have gone through with plan
LANSING, Mich. โ The defense attorneys for two of the men charged in connection with a domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are trying to cast doubt on whether the men actually planned to go through with their scheme. Brian Higgins was charged after the FBI uncovered a domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov. Heโs accused of plotting to launch terror attacks and then kidnap or kill Whitmer. FBI officials said the alleged plot was to storm the state Capitol Building or kidnap Whitmer from her northern Michigan vacation home.
ClickOnDetroit NIGHTSIDE REPORT -- Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020
DETROIT โ Officials are concerned about the trend of rising COVID-19 cases in Michigan. 4 Fast FactsBe InformedThere are two new studies you should know about when it comes to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Officials have charged a 14th person in connection with the alleged domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov. Brian Higgins, 51, of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, is charged with material support of an act of terrorism, a 20-year felony. He is the eighth man to be charged by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nesselโs office.
Officials charge 14th person linked to domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov. Whitmer
LANSING, Mich. โ Officials have charged a 14th person in connection with the alleged domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov. Brian Higgins, 51, of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, is charged with material support of an act of terrorism, a 20-year felony. He is the eighth man to be charged by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nesselโs office. The previous seven men charged by Nessel -- Paul Bellar, Shawn Fix, Eric Molitor, Michael Null, William Null, Pete Musico and Joseph Morrison -- have been linked a domestic terror group called the Wolverine Watchmen. They also surveilled her northern Michigan vacation home, experimented with homemade explosives and trained with firearms and tactical gear, according to court records.
View: Mugshots for all 14 people charged after FBI uncovered plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer
Paul Bellar, 21, of Milford, was charged with providing material support for terrorist acts, gang membership and a felony firearm violation. Providing material support for terrorists acts, threat of terrorism and gang membership are each 20-year felonies. The felony firearm violations come with mandatory two-year prison sentences, to be served consecutively. You can view mugshots for Bellar, Musico, Morrison, Molitor, Fix and the Nulls below. Brian Higgins was charged after the FBI uncovered a domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov.