(WWJ) – A federal agent has revealed that cameras on key fobs and drones were among the devices used to spy on suspects in the alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
On Thursday, the second day of the trial, jurors heard several secret recordings that were captured in the summer of 2020, including trucker Barry Croft Jr. describing a potential plan to "rain down" fire on law enforcement, with a team "standing by" to abduct the governor.
Officials have accused Croft and three other men – Adam Fox, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta – of devising a plot to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home because they were fed up with her COVID-19 restrictions.
The alleged plans called for blowing up a bridge to give the team time to grab the governor and get away from law enforcement. On tapes played Thursday, Croft was apparently giddy while testing out explosives and talking about how much damage could be done.
When Croft was arrested, agents found a receipt for mortar-style fireworks in his truck and prosecutors have argued that they could have been made into a makeshift bomb, if packed with pennies.
In one recording, Croft was heard saying the governor should be "hung."
Defense attorneys have said the defendants were "all talk" and said informants were recording them while they were "absolutely out-of-your-mind stoned."
Prosecutors, however, say they were not just "all talk." The men were accused of posting on social media about starting a civil war before agents and informants were in place.
In addition to cameras hidden in key fobs, FBI agents were able to watch a live streaming feed of two training sites allegedly used by the accused thanks to pole cams attached to utility poles. Agents also used drones and air planes to keep tabs on the men.
