(WWJ) One of more than a dozen men charged in an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has agreed to plead guilty to a charge of kidnapping conspiracy.
A filing about the plea was made by prosecutors ahead of 25-year-old Ty Gerard Garbin's appearance in federal court in Grand Rapids.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, Garbin admitted his guilt in the change of plea hearing conducted by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert
Jonker on Wednesday.
The Justice Department said Garbin has agreed to "fully cooperate" with federal and state law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of all criminal activity, including the conspiracy to kidnap the governor. His obligation to assist law enforcement continues until all investigations and prosecutions are completed. In exchange, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan agreed not to seek additional criminal charges against Garbin in the case.
The court scheduled Garbin’s sentencing on July 8, 2021, at 3 p.m. He remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.
It's still not clear how much prison time Garbin may serve. Garbin faces up to life in prison, and there is no parole in the federal system.
The Justice Department said the court will determine the ultimate sentence to be imposed after evaluating sentencing guidelines, and considering multiple factors, including: the nature and circumstances of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; the seriousness of the offense; and the need to promote respect for the law, to provide just punishment, and protect the public from future crimes of the defendant.
The FBI in October, 2020, said it broke up a plot to kidnap Whitmer by antigovernmental extremists, who were upset over her coronavirus orders.
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The FBI said it has evidence that Garbin hosted training sessions at his property in Luther, a village in Lake County, and was an active participant as the plot.
A lawyer for Garbin has said his client insisted he had no intention to actually carry out the kidnapping, no matter what Garbin might have said in recorded or online conversations uncovered by federal authorities.
In total, six men have been charged in federal court in the case. Separately, eight more are charged in state court with aiding in the alleged conspiracy.
Garbin is the first defendant in the case to plead guilty.
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