3 ordered to trial in Whitmer kidnap plot
Men accused in Whitmer kidnap plot
Three men purported to be members of the Wolverine Watchmen — one from Oakland County and two from Jackson County — are bound over for trial for an alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and others.
The cases against Paul Bellar of Milford, and Joseph Morrison and Pete Musico of Munith were advanced to the Jackson County Circuit Court at the conclusion of preliminary exam Monday before 12th District Judge Michael Klaeren.
The three are accused of participating in a plan to storm the state Capitol building and kidnap elected officials including Whitmer.
“My office is pleased to see this case move forward and to have the opportunity to hold these men accountable for their actions,” Attorney General Dana Nessel stated in news release issued Monday.
Bellar, 21, of Milford, is charged with:
• Providing material support for terrorist acts, a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine
• Gang membership, a 20-year felony, which may be served as a consecutive sentence and
• Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a 2-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively
Morrison, 26, of Munith, is charged with:
• Gang membership, a 20-year felony that may be served as a consecutive sentence
• Providing material support for terrorist acts
• Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a 2-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
Musico, 42, of Munith, is charged with:
• Gang membership, a 20-year felony that may be served as a consecutive sentence
• Providing material support for terrorist acts, a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine
• Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm — a 2-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively
Bellar, Morrison and Musico are three of several men arrested on domestic terrorism charges after a joint operation by state and federal authorities in early October exposed an alleged plot targeting law enforcement officers, threatening violence to incite a civil war, planning an attack on the state Capitol building and kidnapping government officials
While Klaeren ruled that Bellar, Morrison and Musico won’t be tried on charges of a threat of terrorism, Nessel plans to “explore all options for reconsideration of the charge moving forward,” the news release states.
Others facing charges in the alleged plot, from Antrim County, are scheduled for a preliminary exam April 14-16 in Traverse City.