PETE MUSICO

JACKSON, MI -- After two long years in the court system, the criminal case against three Michigan men accused of aiding a terrorist plot came to an emotional end Thursday. Each of the three men took the opportunity to speak before the court prior to their sentencing. In their own words, they delivered emotional apologies to Whitmer, the people of Michigan and their own families. Before he was sentenced, Morrison renounced his affiliation with the plot and all other similar extremist ideologies he once believed in. RELATED: The ties that bind the men behind the plot to kidnap Gov.

Joseph Morrison, Paul Bellar and Pete Musico were convicted in October of providing material support for terrorist acts, possession of a firearm while committing a felony and being members of a gang.

JACKSON, MI – A trio of Jackson County men will spend decades years behind bars on charges stemming from a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Pete Musico, 44, of Munith, was the first man to be sentenced in an hours-long sentencing hearing Thursday, Dec. 15. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wilson sentenced Musico to 12-42 years in prison. Wilson sentenced the 28-year-old to spend 10-42 years in prison. RELATED: The ties that bind the men behind the plot to kidnap Gov.

The defendants’ ‘ultimate goals were to kill police and elected officials and kidnap the Governor of Michigan,’ AG Nessel said

A judge has handed down the longest prison terms so far in the plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor.

A judge on Thursday handed down the longest prison terms so far in the plot to kidnap Michigan's governor, sentencing three men who forged an early alliance with a leader of the scheme before the FBI broke it up in 2020. Joe Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar were not charged with having a direct role in the conspiracy but were members of a paramilitary group that trained with Adam Fox, who separately faces a possible life sentence on Dec. 27 for his federal conviction. Musico was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison, followed by his son-in-law Morrison at 10 years and Bellar at seven.

A federal judge has denied a new trial request by two men convicted of conspiring to kidnap Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Found guilty in August of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and trying to obtain a weapon of mass destruction, a federal judge in Grand Rapids has denied the motion for a new trial for Barry Croft and Adam Fox.

Three men that were arrested on charges of plotting to kidnap the governor of Michigan and planning an attack on the state Capitol building were found gui

Joe Morrison, his father-in-law Pete Musico, and Paul Bellar were found guilty of supporting a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020.

Joe Morrison, his father-in-law Pete Musico, and Paul Bellar were found guilty of providing "material support" for a terrorist act as members of a paramilitary group, the Wolverine Watchmen.

Joe Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar were found guilty of providing "material support" for a terrorist act as members of a paramilitary group.

Three men have been convicted of supporting a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor.

Three men accused of supporting a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor were convicted of all charges Wednesday, a triumph for state prosecutors after months of mixed results in the main case in federal court. Joe Morrison, his father-in-law Pete Musico, and Paul Bellar were found guilty of providing “material support” for a terrorist act as members of a paramilitary group, the Wolverine Watchmen. Prosecutors said COVID-19 restrictions ordered by Whitmer turned out to be fruit to recruit more people to the Watchmen.

The three militia members were charged under Michigan’s Anti-Terrorism Act

Closing arguments were heard Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 24-25, in the jury trial of Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar, with jury deliberations beginning Tuesday afternoon. “Their gang was the reason Adam Fox wanted to link up with them,” Doddamani said of the Wolverine Watchmen, the group co-founded by Morrison and Musico. Andrew Kirkpatrick, who represents Bellar, said testimony has proven that Bellar had very little contact with Fox during his time with the Wolverine Watchmen. The Wolverine Watchmen was founded shortly after Morrison was charged with a felony for improper firearm possession on Nov. 21, 2019. Before his sentencing, Franks said he wanted to apologize to Whitmer, adding he was “ashamed and embarrassed” by his actions.

Jurors have begun deliberations in a third trial connected to a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Prosecutors are urging a jury to convict three men for assisting the leaders of a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor.

Prosecutors have rested their case in the trial of three men charged with assisting a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

A judge has dismissed a young woman from the jury hearing the trial of three men in connection with a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after attorneys accused her of flirting with one of the defendants.

JACKSON, MI -- A young woman has been relieved of her jury duty following concerns she might have been flirting with a man accused of aiding a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor. As proceedings continued Friday morning in the jury trial of Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar, Judge Thomas Wilson announced that a young woman has been removed from the jury. The decision comes two days after attorneys raised concerns said juror was having too much non-verbal communication with Bellar. RELATED: Prosecutors concerned juror may be flirting with defendant in Whitmer kidnapping trial“It didn’t just happen on one day -- it happened over multiple days,” Wilson said of the juror’s behavior. “Since the start of the trial... there’s been non-verbal communication between one of the jurors -- a female -- and Mr. Bellar,” Rollstin said.

A defense lawyer lashed out at a star witness in a trial related to a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Prosecutors are raising concerns about a female juror who apparently has been smiling at one of three men on trial in connection with a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

JACKSON, MI -- Much of the first week of a trial for three Jackson County accused in a plot to kidnap Gov. The trial is being livestreamed on Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson’s YouTube channel. RELATED: ‘Twitter fingers, not trigger fingers.’ Trial begins for men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plotThough none of the men on trial in Jackson are charged with violent crimes, prosecutors allege the trio provided crucial training to Adam Fox, who was previously identified by FBI officials as the leader of the conspiracy. The Wolverine Watchmen consisted of about 40 members, Rollstin said. WhitmerMorrison, 27, and Musico, 43, are accused of providing materials and assistance to group members by conducting tactical training on the Munith property.

Jurors in Michigan heard secretly recorded audio as prosecutors tried to show how a paramilitary group was connected to a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The second man to plead guilty in a kidnapping plot against Michigan’s governor has been sentenced to four years in prison.

“These defendants promoted terrorism,” said William Rollstin, part of the team prosecuting the case on behalf of the Michigan Attorney General. “They sought out terrorists, they found them and they gave them training.”The most significant “terrorist” aided by the group was Adam Fox, Rollstin said. The group, identified by Impola as a “self-styled anarchist militia,” was founded by Musico and Morrison -- father and son-in-law, respectively -- in November 2019, according to testimony. “This meeting is pertaining to kicking the (boogaloo) off,” a man identified as Musico states in the recording. The trial, which could last up to three weeks, will be livestreamed on Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson’s YouTube channel.

An FBI agent has testified that postings in online chatrooms by members of a paramilitary group connected to a 2020 anti-government plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer included instructions on how to make explosives.

A jury has been seated in the trial of three men charged in connection with a 2020 anti-government plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Jury selection is underway in a third trial connected to a 2020 anti-government plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

A scheme to kidnap Michigan’s governor in 2020 will get yet another airing in court.

A jury last week couldn't reach a unanimous verdict for two men charged with a conspiracy to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

A judge has ruled that three men charged in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer before the 2020 election were not entrapped by the FBI.

A judge is scheduled to rule on whether three men charged in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer before the 2020 election were entrapped by the FBI.

JACKSON COUNTY, MI – Trial proceedings for three men accused of aiding a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor are set to continue in the new year. Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar are accused of providing support to a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ahead of the 2020 election.

Attorneys for the three men charged in the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid out how they plan to present their defense.

JACKSON COUNTY, MI – Trial preparations have begun for three Jackson-area men charged with providing support in a plot to kidnap Gov. The first pre-trial hearing in the case of Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar took place on March 25, with Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson presiding. The pair are charged with one felony count each of gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts and felony firearms. Tuesday’s conference marked the first time the case appeared in circuit court, following a three-day preliminary examination before Jackson County District Judge Michael Klaeren, which ended March 29. Morrison remains lodged in the Jackson County Jail with bond set at $150,000.

Three men the state said helped plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. READ: Informant in plot against Whitmer indicted on weapons chargesThe men had been charged with making terroristic threats online and in secret conversations on encrypted apps. The state said that both men spent time and money to train so they could attempt to kidnap Gov. AdThe judge threw out the terroristic threats charge. The judge said the charges couldn’t stand because the men had made the threats in private.

JACKSON COUNTY, MI – Three Jackson-area men charged with providing support in a plot to kidnap Gov. The ties that bind the men behind the plot to kidnap Gov. Morrison remains lodged in the Jackson County Jail with bond set at $150,000. The case has been assigned to Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson. For more information about the alleged kidnap plot, click here.

A Michigan judge on Monday, March 29, 2021 ordered three men to stand trial in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Jackson County District Court Judge Michael Klaeren ruled there was enough evidence and bound over Paul Bellar, Joe Morrison and Pete Musico to circuit court to stand trial. (Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center via AP)A Michigan judge on Monday ordered three men to stand trial in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Jackson County District Court Judge Michael Klaeren ruled there was enough evidence and bound over Paul Bellar, Joe Morrison and Pete Musico to circuit court to stand trial. AdThe FBI in October said it broke up a plot to kidnap Whitmer by anti-government extremists upset over her coronavirus restrictions.

A lot of the evidence in the trial was provided by key FBI informants. READ: How a post office worker became FBI’s inside man into terrorism plot against Gov. WhitmerAdThe FBI has named one of their key informants as Steven Robeson from Wisconsin. Attorneys for the men will argue the men were just talking about the plot and the FBI’s own informants helped train the men, allegedly pushing the plot forward. AdREAD: 19 details inside Whitmer kidnapping defendant’s guilty plea

READ: Confidential informant testifies in hearing for 3 men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Dan said one of the men working with the group wanted to hogtie Whitmer up and put her on display. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? AdThere were also discussions of installing Wolverine Watchmen members as the new government. One of the men, a supposed leader of the Wolverine Watchmen, claimed he would be targeting Michigan’s Attorney General and Lt.

LANSING, Mich. – A confidential informant for the FBI is testifying in the case against three men charged in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. The informant testified that he was there for the planning of both the storming of Michigan’s Capitol and the plot to kidnap and kill Whitmer. READ: How an informant brought down plot against Michigan Gov. He said he was introduced to the Wolverine Watchmen through a suggested page recommendation on Facebook. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen?

JACKSON, Mich. – Defense attorneys for Pete Musico, his son-in-law Joseph Morrison and Paul Bellar -- who are accused of being involved in a domestic terrorism plot to kidnap or kill Gov. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? Thursday was day two of the hearing for the three members of the Wolverine Watchmen. AdThe defense attorneys used a series of different arguments Thursday. READ: Defense attorneys rebut FBI claims in alleged plot against Gov.

DETROIT – Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at Noon. Defense attorneys rebut FBI claims in alleged plot against Gov. WhitmerDefense attorneys for Pete Musico, his son-in-law Joseph Morrison and Paul Bellar -- who are accused of being involved in a domestic terrorism plot to kidnap or kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer -- claim things only became serious when the FBI informant became involved.

JACKSON, Mich. – Defense attorneys for Pete Musico, his son-in-law Joseph Morrison and Paul Bellar -- who are accused of being involved in a domestic terrorism plot to kidnap or kill Gov. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? Thursday was day two of the hearing for the three members of the Wolverine Watchmen. The defense also portrayed the violent rhetoric about Whitmer as satirical and that their activities only escalated after an FBI informant got involved. It’s a similar defense to what was used by attorneys representing members of the Hutaree group in 2012.

“He just wanted to notify us about the Wolverine Watchmen and tell us that the group was a danger to law enforcement,” the agent said. This information was revealed at the preliminary hearing for three of the 14 men accused in the kidnapping plot against Gov. READ: How a post office worker became FBI’s inside man into terrorism plot against Gov. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? READ: A look at group texts between suspects in terrorist plot against Michigan Gov.

JACKSON, Mich. – New evidence in the domestic terrorism plot to kidnap or kill Gov. READ: 3 men charged in domestic terrorism plot against Gov. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? RELATED: A look at group texts between suspects in terrorist plot against Michigan Gov. The man wanted out, but the FBI asked him to stay with the Wolverine Watchmen, wear a wire, record everything and risk his life.

JACKSON, Mich. – Attorneys for Pete Musico, his son-in-law Joseph Morrison and Paul Bellar -- who are accused of being involved in a domestic terrorism plot to kidnap or kill Gov. The attorneys are questioning the description of the Wolverine Watchmen as a terrorist organization. READ: Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? The FBI said they never heard of the Wolverine Watchmen until one of them created a Facebook Group. RELATED: A look at group texts between suspects in terrorist plot against Michigan Gov.

The Michigan Militia was first brought to the spotlight after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. AdTimothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, the men who carried out the attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, were said to have attended Michigan Militia meetings. Dr. JoEllen Vinyard, a retired EMU history professor, studied the Michigan Militia in the late 1990s and into the early 2000s. “That was one of their major worries across all the different groups.”The early meetings of the Michigan Militia were attended by McVeigh and Nichols. April 9, 2013: Hutaree members sue FBI, Michigan State PoliceAdArena said militia groups have always been a concern for the FBI.

LANSING, Mich. – New developments were revealed in the domestic terrorist plot to kidnap or kill Gov. Joseph Morrison is a marine and founding member of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is facing state charges of supporting terrorism along with his father-in-law and founding member, Pete Musico. Read: Jackson County home was alleged ‘training ground’ in plot to kidnap WhitmerMorrison wants out of jail while his case continues in court. Related: Domestic terror plot leader wanted to leave Whitmer on boat in middle of Lake Michigan, FBI says

JACKSON, MI – A Jackson County judge denied a request for a second bond reduction for a man accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Jackson County Judge Michael Klaeren denied Joseph Morrison’s second request for a lower bond Dec. 18. He is still lodged at the Jackson County Jail. 6 suspects in alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Read all MLive reporting about the alleged plot here.

JACKSON, MI – One of the men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Paul Bellar, 21, posted bond Friday, Nov. 13, Jackson County Sheriff Capt. Bellar posted bond after a hearing before Jackson County District Judge Michael Klaeren where his bond was reduced from $10 million to $75,000. Bond reduced for Jackson-area men charged in Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plotBellar is the second of three people charged in Jackson County to post bond.

Remember 1,000 years ago in December, 2019, when everyone was afraid that the grislycould inspire mass shootings? New details from the alleged domestic terrorist plot to murder Gov. One was to recruit 200 men to storm the Capitol while Congress was in session, take hostages, and execute them on television over the course of week. "Private Facebook groups have been linked to the alleged domestic terrorist plot. Fourteen other men have been charged in connection to the plot.

Gretchen Whitmer was recently released from Jackson County Jail after he posted bond, officials confirmed. Pete Musico, 42, of Munith, posted a $100,000 bond on Friday, Oct. 30, Jackson County Sheriff Capt. Related: Read all MLive coverage of plot to kidnap Whitmer here. The men are two of eight people charged at the state level for their alleged involvement in the plot to kidnap Whitmer. Bellar and Morrison are still lodged at the Jackson County Jail, per jail records.

LANSING, Mich. – Pete Musico -- one of the men charged in the domestic terrorism plot against Gov. Prosecutors claim Musico and Joseph Morrison are founding members of Wolverine Watchmen and allowed other suspects to train on their property in Jackson County. RELATED: View: Mugshots for all 14 people charged after FBI uncovered plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. “It is not lawful to plot to kidnap the governor of the state of Michigan," said state attorney Greg Townsend. If he makes bond, Musico will be set free and monitored by a tether.

LANSING, Mich. – The bond hearing for two men charged in connection with the domestic terrorist plot against Gov. WhitmerMusico, reported to be the head of the Wolverine Watchmen, had his bond hearing first. He also said that Musico was kicked out of the Wolverine Watchmen for being too soft. The office wanted a $10 million bond, but the judge sided with Musico and reduced the bond to $100,000. If he makes bond, Musico will be set free and monitored by a tether.

JACKSON, MI – One of two Munith men being held in the Jackson County Jail on their alleged participation in a plot to kidnap Gov. A $10-million bond set for Pete Musico was reduced to $100,000 during a bond hearing before Jackson County District Judge Michael Klaeren Friday, Oct. 23. Bond for his co-defendant, Joseph Morrison, remains at $10 million as bond hearing in his case has been scheduled for Nov. 3. Morrison and Musico are two of eight charged individuals known to be involved in the plot to kidnap Whitmer. 14th suspect charged in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov.

JACKSON, MI – Outside of a bond hearing set for next week, two Munith men arrested in an alleged plot to kidnap Gov. $10 million bond set for Munith men arrested in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Calling the case “complicated with many issues,” Klaeren ordered a bond hearing set for Friday, Oct. 23. 14th suspect charged in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot justified, attorneys sayNew suspect from Wisconsin identified in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov.

Ty Garbin, 24, of Hartland, Michigan was one of several men charged in a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Kaleb Franks, 26, of Waterford, Michigan was one of several men charged in a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Daniel Harris, 23, of Luther, Michigan was one of several men charged in a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Brandon Caserta, 32, of Canton, Michigan was one of several men charged in a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Pete Musico, 42 of Munith, Michigan was one of several men charged in a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

What we know about the plan to kidnap Michigan Gov. Read more on MLive:Michigan men charged in kidnapping plot trained with guns, explosives, neighbors say$10 million bond set for Munith men arrested in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen WhitmerMan accused in Whitmer kidnapping plot defended Confederate statue at June protestPlot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer prompts renewed calls to ban guns in Michigan Capitol buildingNorthern Michigan town grapples with plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer from local vacation homeTrump criticizes Whitmer after FBI foiled plot to kidnap Michigan governor

Local 4 has learned more Friday about the alleged plot to kidnap Gov. That’s when the Wolverine Watchmen caught the FBI’s attention. In June, the men involved in the kidnapping conspiracy started meeting with members of the Wolverine Watchmen and recruiting others to their ranks. “They belong to a group, a militia group, called the Wolverine Watchmen. A house on Dunn Road in Munith that was raided Oct. 8, 2020, in connection with a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov.

MUNITH, Mich. – FBI agents raided a home in Jackson County early Thursday in connection with the kidnapping plot against Gov. Neighbor Pam Karschnock and many others had been fed up with all the shooting at the home in recent months. But Karschnock and others came to learn Thursday that there was more than guys just firing automatic weapons. Karschnock lives next door to the home on Dunn Road in Munith that was raided. In addition to the shooting, neighbors said they had seen several men in militia fatigues at the home on Dunn Road, as well as hearing more than gunshots.

MUNITH, Mich. – Federal and state officials have charged 13 people after uncovering a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and overthrow the Michigan government, FBI agents said. Through confidential informants and undercover agents, the FBI gained access to audio recordings, ground messages and secret meetings as the group plotted for months, according to court records. In addition to a Wednesday night raid in Hartland, FBI agents also raided the home of two of the suspects in Jackson County. Authorities said the Munith home served as a training facility for members of the group now facing terrorism charges.

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.

JACKSON, MI – Two Munith men arrested in an alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and potentially kill other state officials in an effort to overturn the government were arraigned in Jackson County Thursday afternoon. Read the FBI complaint detailing plot to kidnap Gov. 13 men face charges in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, start 'civil warPreliminary examinations for Morrison and Musico are scheduled for Oct. 21 before Jackson County District Judge Michael Klaeren.