Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot: Co-leader Barry Croft Jr. sentenced to more than 19 years in prison
Croft and Adam Fox among those who backed foiled 2020 kidnapping plot of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The other co-leader convicted of conspiracy charges in the foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 was sentenced Wednesday to nearly 20 years in prison.
Barry Croft Jr., who prosecutors recommended a life sentence, learned of his punishment a day after key ally Adam Fox was sentenced to 16 years.
Croft was sentenced to 19 years and seven months.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox, 39, and Croft, 47, were convicted on two counts of conspiracy at a trial in August. Croft also was found guilty of possessing an unregistered explosive.
ADAM FOX IS SENTENCED FOR ROLE IN WHITMER KIDNAPPING PLOT
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, left, and Barry Croft Jr. (AP/Carlos Osorio/Delaware Department of Justice)
The conspirators were furious over tough COVID-19 restrictions that 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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Croft, a Delaware trucker, regularly wore a tri-cornered 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 like-minded extremists, according to the Associated Press.
"Although he may not have had hierarchical control over all the other participants, he coordinated and pushed the implementation of the conspiracy from its inception to its final stages," Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler said in a court filing.
"The only remaining step was for the governor to appear at her cottage, so they could launch their plan, but fortunately she was still beyond their control," the prosecutor said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Whitmer was not physically harmed. The FBI, which was secretly embedded in the group, broke things up a month before the 2020 presidential election and arrested 14 people.
TRIAL ORDERED FOR 5 MEN IN PLOT TO KIDNAP MICHIGAN GOV. WHITMER
This combo of undated file images show, from left, Paul Bellar, Joseph Morrison and Pete Musico. They recently were sentenced for backing the foiled plot. (Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and Jackson County Sheriff's Office via AP)
"The abduction of the governor was only meant to be the beginning of Croft’s reign of terror," Kessler said. "He called for riots, ‘torching’ government officials in their sleep and setting off a ‘domino’ effect of violence across the country."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A key piece of evidence showed Croft, Fox and others traveled to see Whitmer's vacation home in northern Michigan, with undercover agents and informants inside the cabal.
At one point, Croft told allies, "I don’t like seeing anybody get killed either. But you don’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, you know what I mean?"
WHITMER KIDNAPPING PLOT: 3 MEN CONVICTED OF SUPPORT FOR TERRORIST ACT
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Adam Fox, the co-leader of a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. (Kent County Jail via AP)
Croft's attorney tried to soften his client's role. In a court filing, Joshua Blanchard said the Bear, Delaware, man did not actually have authority over others and often frustrated them because he "just kept talking."
Croft was smoking 2 ounces of marijuana per week, Blanchard said.
"Simply put, to the extent that the jury determined he was a participant, as they necessarily did, he was a participant to a lesser degree than others," Blanchard insisted.
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Two men who pleaded guilty and testified against Fox and Croft received substantial breaks; Ty Garbin is already free after a 2 1/2-year prison term, while Kaleb Franks was given a four-year sentence.
In state court, three men recently were given lengthy sentences for assisting Fox earlier in the summer of 2020. Five more are awaiting trial in Antrim County, where Whitmer’s vacation home is located.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Associated Press contributed to this report.