Judge orders longest sentence so far in Whitmer plot
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Delaware trucker described as an architect of the conspiracy to kidnap Michigan’s governor was sentenced Wednesday to more than 19 years in prison — the longest term yet given to anyone convicted in the plot.
Prosecutors had sought a life sentence for Barry Croft Jr., 47, who was the fourth and final federal defendant to learn his fate. Judge Robert J. Jonker described him as “the idea guy” behind the plot and called him “a very convincing communicator” for people who were open to his views.
“However twisted or irrational it may seem to many of us, it did resonate to the targeted audience,” the judge said. “That is as important a method of leadership as being out in the field telling people where to go.”
Defense attorney Joshua Blanchard said he would appeal the sentence.
Croft and Adam Fox were convicted in August of conspiracy charges in Grand Rapids. Croft also was found guilty of possessing an unregistered explosive.
Fox, 39, was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years behind bars. The government also sought a life sentence for him.
Both men were accused of hatching a stunning plot to abduct Gov. Gretchen Whitmer from her vacation home just before the 2020 presidential election. The conspirators were furious over tough COVID-19 restrictions that Ms. Whitmer and officials in other states had put in place during the early months of the pandemic, as well as perceived threats to gun ownership.
Ms. Whitmer was not physically harmed. The FBI was secretly embedded in the group and made 14 arrests.
“We’re talking about a conspiracy to physically kidnap the governor, potentially assassinate her as well. It doesn’t get much more serious than that,” Judge Jonker said before announcing Croft’s sentence. “The group had a lot of guns. This group had all kinds of material ready to go to achieve their end.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler called Croft the “spiritual leader” of the group of conspirators, comparing his role to that of “some sheikh in ISIS.”
“He essentially was putting himself as a role of a prophet ... there are people who believe this sort of rhetoric, and he used it,” Mr. Kessler told the judge.
“This man is fully radicalized. He hasn’t changed his viewpoint,” Mr. Kessler added. “He’s not admitting the ideas are wrong because he still holds them. This whole thing was Mr. Croft’s idea.”
Ms. Whitmer’s office declined to comment Wednesday. She said in August that the guilty verdicts proved that “those who seek to divide us will be held accountable.“She also said such plots are ”a disturbing extension of radicalized domestic terrorism” that threaten “the very foundation of our republic.”
Croft regularly wore the type of tricorn hat common during the American Revolution and had tattoos on his arms symbolizing resistance — “Expect Us” — as he traveled to Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan to meet with likeminded extremists.
Two men who pleaded guilty and testified against Fox and Croft received substantial breaks: Ty Garbin already is free after a 2½year prison term, while Kaleb Franks was given a four-year sentence.
In state court, three men recently received lengthy sentences for assisting Fox in the summer of 2020. Five more are awaiting trial in Antrim County, where Ms. Whitmer’s vacation home is.
When the plot was extinguished, Ms. Whitmer blamed then- President Donald Trump, saying he had given “comfort to those who spread fear and hatred and division.”