LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) — Six of the seven suspects in the plot to kidnap and possibly kill Governor Gretchen Whitmer have been formally arraigned on terrorism and other felony charges filed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
The seventh suspect awaits extradition to Michigan.
Michigan AG officials filed the charges after multiple search and arrest warrants were executed late Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, as part of a joint operation with the U.S. Attorneys of the Eastern and Western districts of Michigan; Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and Michigan State Police.
The 19 state felony charges filed apply to members of a so-called militia group, Wolverine Watchmen, or their associates. Federal charges, filed against six other individuals, have not been made public as of late Friday, Oct. 9, 2020.
The suspects were alleged to have called on the groups’ members to identify the home addresses of law enforcement officers in order to target them; made threats of violence to instigate a civil war leading to societal collapse; and engaged in the planning and training for an operation to attack the state Capitol building and kidnap government officials, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The following individuals were charged:
Paul Bellar, 21, of Milford, was arrested in Columbia, South Carolina Wednesday and awaits extradition to Michigan for arraignment in Jackson County. No court dates have been set. Bellar faces these charges:
- 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 two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
Shawn Fix, 38, of Belleville, was arraigned Friday in Antrim County and has bond set at $250,000.
Fix’s next hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28; the probable cause conference has not be scheduled. Fix’s charges:
- Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and
- Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
Eric Molitor, 36, of Cadillac, was arraigned Thursday in Antrim County, with bond set at 10 percent of $250,000 His probable cause conference is set for 1 p.m. Oct. 14, and a preliminary hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28. Molitor’s charges:
- Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and
- Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
Michael Null, 38, of Plainwell, and William Null, 38, of Shelbyville were arraigned Thursday in Antrim County, with cash bond set at $250,000 each.
They are each set to return to court, for a probable cause conference, at 1 p.m. Oct. 14, and preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28.
The Nulls’ charges:
- Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and
- Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
Pete Musico, 42, and Joseph Morrison, 26, both of Munith, were arraigned Thursday in Jackson County. Each has a cash bond set at $10 million.
They are due back in court for a probable cause conference set for 1 p.m. Oct. 16; and a preliminary hearing at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 21.
Musico and Morrison are each charged with:
- One count each of threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine;
- One count each of gang membership, a 20-year felony that may be served as a consecutive sentence;
- One count each of providing material support for terrorist acts; and
- One count each for carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
More than 200 state and federal law enforcement officials – including experts from outside of Michigan – were involved in the operation. A series of search warrants and arrest warrants in more than a dozen cities around the state, including, Belleville, Cadillac, Canton, Charlotte, Clarkston, Grand Rapids, Luther, Munith, Orion Township, Ovid, Portage, Shelby Township and Waterford.
Evidence gathered during the operation is still being reviewed, and additional information will not be provided until the completion of that review or until it is entered in court.
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