GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A man who admitted plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said his co-defendants pushed the conspiracy – not the FBI, as defendants have alleged.
Kaleb James Franks of Waterford pleaded guilty Wednesday, Feb. 9, in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to kidnap, a potential life offense.
He told U.S. Magistrate Judge Phillip Green that the FBI did not suggest kidnapping the governor or taking part in other crimes. The plea agreement also contained statements against such claims by other defendants.
“The defendant was not entrapped or induced to commit any crimes by these individuals. The defendant also knows Fox, Croft, Harris and Caserta were not entrapped, based on personal observation and discussions,” the plea agreement said.
The defendants have argued that the FBI and its informants drove the alleged plan to kidnap the governor.
Franks, the second of six federal defendants to plead guilty, has agreed to testify against the others in a March 8 trial.
Awaiting trial are Brandon Michael-Ray Caserta of Canton, Barry Croft Jr. of Bear, Delaware, Adam Fox of Wyoming and Daniel of Lake Orion.
Ty Garbin of Livingston County’s Hartland Township has been sentenced to six years, three months in prison after he pleaded guilty to the kidnapping conspiracy.
They are among multiple members of a Michigan-based militia, the Wolverine Watchmen,...
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