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Judge dismisses terrorism threat charges in Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot case
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.
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Militias in Michigan: A troubling presence dating back decades
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.
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Ohio man charged with terrorism for threatening to burn down Port Huron elementary school
PORT HURON, Mich. – Ohio resident Dominik Hricovsky, 32, was arraigned Sunday on multiple charges including terrorism for allegedly threatening to burn down a Port Huron elementary school. On Wednesday at 8:10 a.m. St. Clair County Central Dispatch received several calls from Hricovsky making threats to burn down Cleveland Elementary School and shoot police officers. Cleveland Elementary School went into a soft lockdown until police could figure out what was happening. Dispatchers were able to connect the address the calls were made from which was an apartment in the 2700 block of Nern Street in Port Huron. Police say he was on parole through Ohio while being placed under arrest in Port Huron.
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Neo-Nazis reportedly planned fortified, white nationalist compound in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
A screenshot of a picture uploaded to social media by former The Base leader Justen Watkins in an effort to threaten a podcast host. The former leader of a neo-Nazi terrorist group was reportedly planning to establish a heavily armed, white nationalist community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. AdIn the chats obtained by VICE, Watkins reportedly claimed he was going to purchase and occupy land in the U.P., and planned to establish a community of like-minded extremists. I already got a guy up there ... We are already training every single day,” Watkins reportedly said in the group chat. AdRelated: Militias in Michigan: A troubling presence dating back decadesPreviously: Leader of neo-Nazi white supremacist group arrested in Michigan
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Michigan lawmakers take on key role in fight against terrorism
WASHINGTON, D.C. – It’s been going on in plain sight for decades, but since the deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol Building, the fight against domestic terrorism has become a top priority. READ: Slain Capitol Police officer honored: ‘We will never forget’Two Michigan Legislatures are taking prominent roles in that fight. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who served as an expert in militias and terrorism for the CIA, announced Thursday she will bring that experience to combating domestic terrorism. “We have been dealing with this rise of extremism and domestic terrorism long before Jan. 6,” Slotkin said. “That will change.”Both Peters and Slotkin pointed to Michigan’s strong domestic terrorism laws and hope their home state will be used as examples for both the good and bad as Michigan take the lead role in a national fight.
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Michigan congresswoman warns growing threat of domestic terrorism needs more focus
She discussed the terror threats this weekend at the Michigan Capitol where law enforcement officials were on high alert over a scheduled protest. “If domestic terrorism is allowed to flourish that will be a physical threat to our citizens so I’m trying to grapple with that and shift feet,” she said. Michigan is clearly no stranger to domestic terrorists and extremist groups. Long a hot bed for anti-government groups the state has some of the most extensive domestic terror laws on the books. After the inauguration she said finding where these extremist groups are online, and how they train and coordinate will be the first steps in curbing this latest rise in violence.
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‘We consider him very dangerous’ -- Prosecutors plead to keep Whitmer plot suspects locked up
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
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Federal grand jury indicts 6 in terrorist plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
LANSING, Mich. – 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 plotHere’s 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.
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Guns, maps, audio recordings -- New evidence in terrorist plot against Whitmer revealed
LANSING, Mich. – 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.
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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 “selfies” 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.
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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 “Wolverine Watchmen” 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 Higgins’ arrest in both Michigan and Wisconsin. Higgins allegedly traveled to Michigan to take part in the group’s surveillance of the governor’s home up north.
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Bond reduced to 1% for man charged in terrorism plot against Gov. Whitmer
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.
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Judge lowers bond for alleged leader of group in terrorist plot against Whitmer
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.
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Gov. Whitmer: State will do ‘everything to keep people safe’ during election
Whitmer said she believes there could still be serious threats out there, but the state is prepared to keep voters safe on election day. I’m protected by the Michigan State Police and they are an incredibly professional organization,” Whitmer said. And I want to remind Michiganders that you can vote today. You can go into the clerk’s office and cast your vote today. “I’m not worried but we are preparing to make sure that we do everything to keep people safe,” Whitmer said.
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2 men charged in terrorist plot against Whitmer served in US Military
LANSING, Mich. – Local 4 has learned two of the men arrested in the domestic terrorist plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer spent time in the military. READ: 2 charged in Michigan terrorist plots served in US MarinesThe U.S. Marine Corps confirmed Daniel Harris of Lake Orion and Joseph Morrison of Munith served for years. The Marines said Harris trained with rifles and Morrison served in the Marine Corps Reserve until Thursday, the day he was arraigned. Parker Douglas, the attorney for Daniel Harris -- one of the 13 men accused of being apart of a terrorist plot to kidnap Whitmer who was charged with Domestic Terrorism, Conspiracy and Weapon Charges -- is addressing the claims on his client’s behalf. The U.S. Marine Corps confirmed Daniel Harris from Lake Orion and Joseph Morrison of Munith, were Marines for years.
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2 men charged in terrorist plot against Whitmer served in US Military
2 men charged in terrorist plot against Whitmer served in US MilitaryPublished: October 10, 2020, 11:13 pmThe U.S. Marine Corps confirmed Daniel Harris of Lake Orion and Joseph Morrison of Munith served for years. The Marines said Harris trained with rifles and Morrison served in the Marine Corps Reserve until Thursday, the day he was arraigned.
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Who are the Wolverine Watchmen? What is ‘boogaloo’?
LANSING – Many law enforcement agencies -- local and federal -- are investigating the group behind the terrorism plot to kidnap Gov. While they’re affiliate with the Michigan Militia, the Wolverine Watchmen is its own group with its own goals. The Wolverine Watchmen formed very recently. The boogaloo movement is a loosely organized far-right extremist movement with members advocating for a second Civil War. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the current boogaloo movement was first noticed by extremism researchers in 2019.
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Man charged in plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer faces judge
Man charged in plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer faces judgePublished: October 9, 2020, 12:16 pm38-year-old Shawn Fix faced a judge Friday morning. He's being held at the Antrim County Jail on charges of providing support for terrorist acts and carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony.
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Foiled terror plot to kidnap Michigan governor: Here’s what to know
If you’re looking to get caught up on Thursday’s announcement about a foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, here’s what to know. These are 10 of the 13 people who were charged after the FBI uncovered a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. BOTTOM (left to right): Pete Musico, Eric Molitor, William Null, Michael Null, Joseph Morrison.
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Jackson County home was alleged ‘training ground’ in plot to kidnap Whitmer
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.
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AP source: Mets to host Yankees on 20th anniversary of 9/11
New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom throws during a simulated game at a baseball workout at Citi Field, Sunday, July 5, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)NEW YORK The New York Mets will host the crosstown Yankees on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 next season, according to a person familiar with the decision. The clubs will play at Citi Field in a game sure to be full of emotions for the city that's also reported over 18,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths this year. I cant imagine how powerful and how emotional of an event that could be," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. It'll be a homecoming of sorts for former Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who was hired as Phillies manager over the offseason.