Defense seeks dismissal of indictment for Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot

The government alleges that the men were upset over coronavirus restrictions last year when they conspired to kidnap Whitmer, a Democrat then spoken about as a possible vice-president, even scouting her second home in northern Michigan.

Five people are charged with kidnapping conspiracy and face trial on 8 March in Grand Rapids. They have pleaded not guilty and claim to be victims of entrapment. Federal prosecutors have argued the men were not entrapped.

In January, a sixth man, 26-year-old Ty Garbin, pleaded guilty. He is serving a six-year federal prison sentence.

In a 20-page motion filed in court on Saturday night, defense attorneys alleged FBI agents and federal prosecutors invented a conspiracy and entrapped people who could face life in prison.

Messages left with the US attorney for the western district of Michigan and the US Department of Justice were not immediately returned.