Men convicted of supporting Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot given lengthy prison sentences

A judge on Thursday handed down the longest prison terms so far in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, sentencing three men who forged an early alliance with a leader of the scheme before the FBI broke it up in 2020. Pete Musico was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison, followed by Joe Morrison at 10 years and Paul Bellar at seven.

They did not have a direct role in the conspiracy but were members of a paramilitary group that trained with Adam Fox, who faces a possible life sentence in a separate case in federal court.

Morrison, Musico and Bellar will be eligible for parole after serving their terms.