Courtesy image of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at the Capitol on Oct. 8, 2020, provided by Michigan executive office of the governor.
Attorney General Dana Nessel charged an eighth man Thursday for his alleged participation in a plan of domestic terrorism against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, according to a press release.
Brian Higgins of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, was charged with material support of an act of terrorism, which is a 20-year felony. It is alleged that Higgins provided assistance in the plan to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home.
This plan included storming the Michigan Capitol building and harming government officials.
Seven other individuals were charged Oct. 7 after execution of several search and arrest warrants by the U.S. Attorneys of Eastern and Western Michigan districts, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Michigan State Police.
"While the political rhetoric in our nation may at times be divisive, I am encouraged by the united front our law enforcement community has displayed in response to this indescribable act of terror," Nessel said in a press release. "These were very credible, and very serious threats to our elected officials and the public in general, and the swift actions take by state and federal authorities this past week are nothing short of heroic."
The latest charge against Higgins totals out to 20 state felonies, all filed by Nessel against the militia group Wolverine Watchmen and its associates.
The suspects were alleged to have called on members of the Wolverine Watchmen and associates to identify the home addresses of law enforcement officials in order to target them. Threats of violence were also made to instigate a civil war leading to societal collapse.
Some of the defendants participated in various demonstrations at the Michigan Capitol building over the past months.
All but one of the six defendants charged last week were arraigned and are in Michigan jail custody. Paul Bellar is facing extradition from South Carolina where he was arrested and is schedule to be picked up on or by Oct. 27.
Similarly, Higgins was arrested today in Wisconsin and will be extradited to be arraigned in Antrim County 86th District Court. Court dates have not been scheduled, and charges might change as investigators review evidence gathered. Identities will not be confirmed until the case has been closed.
The attorney general's office denied to further comment at time of publication.
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