HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — The feds say this was started in the spring, discussed on social media and grew into meetings, training and recruiting. And on Wednesday night, the final acts where set to happen before the raid.
RELATED: The 13 men charged in plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
A neighbor inside the mobile home park in Hartland was rolling as the feds and Michigan State Police moved in wearing camo gear and holding long guns.
No officers were injured in Hartland, or in several other simultaneous raids.
The arrest of 13 people around the state happened at the same time. All were arrested without attempts to resist.
According to the federal complaint, the plot was hatched with a growing hatred of Michigan State government and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who today called the people arrested "sick and depraved."
The federal charges are conspiracy to kidnap.
The early plot discussed with 15 people at a meeting in Dublin, Ohio in June, talking about murdering tyrants, meaning state officials, and taking a sitting governor.
The plot grew, the feds say, with private Facebook videos and encrypted chats.
RELATED: Key locations in plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
They held tactical training with guns and improvised explosive devices. They said they needed 200 to storm the state capitol. They met at a business in Grand Rapids, in a room through a trap door. The feds had confidential informants from a militia group.
See here for Governor Whitmer's response to the thwarted plot.
