United States v. Fox (complaint)

United States District Court
for the

Western District of Michigan

United States of America
v.
Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks,
Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta

 

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Defendants(s)

 

⁠Case No.
⁠Case No. 1:20-mj-416

CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

I, the complainant in this case, state that the following is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. On or about the date(s) of June 2020 to the present in the county of Kent and elsewhere in the Western District of Michigan, the defendant(s) violated:

Code Section	Offense Description
18 U.S.C. § 1201(c)	Conspiracy to commit kidnapping

 

This criminal complaint is based on these facts:

 

Continued on the attached sheet.

CONTINUATION OF A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

I, Richard J. Trask II, being first duly sworn, hereby depose and state as follows:

1. I am a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and have been since April 2011. As a Special Agent with the FBI, I have participated in, and conducted numerous investigations under the Domestic Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Counterintelligence programs, to include espionage, terrorism, and domestic extremism investigations. I have participated in and executed search warrants to seize items of evidence from residences, telephone providers, and electronic devices, such as cell phones and computers.

2. The facts in this affidavit come from my personal observations, training, experience, and information obtained from other agents and witnesses. This affidavit is intended to show merely that there is sufficient probable cause to support the issuance of a criminal complaint and does not set forth all of my knowledge about this matter.

3. The United States, including the FBI, is investigating a conspiracy to kidnap the Governor of Michigan. 18 U.S.C. § 1201(c) makes it a felony to conspire to kidnap or abduct any person and hold that person for ransom, reward, or otherwise, where the kidnapper or the victim crosses a state boundary, or a means of interstate commerce (such as a cellular telephone or the internet) is used in committing, or in furtherance of, the offense.

4. In the course of its investigation, the FBI relied on information provided by Confidential Human Sources (CHS) and Undercover Employees (UCE) over several months. Not all CHSs and UCEs were present at all times, however, at least one CHS or UCE was usually present during the group meetings. Those CHSs and UCEs consensually recorded the meetings and conversations with the subjects. Some meetings or conversations were recorded by more than one CHS or UCE. Certain CHSs also had access to group or individual texts, online chats, and phone calls. Each CHS was vetted for reliability by the FBI agent handling the source. None of the CHSs were aware of the other CHSs involved with the groups in order to preserve the independence of their reporting. Although multiple CHSs were used over the course of the investigation, this complaint only relies on audio recordings and information provided by CHS-1, CHS-2, UCE-1 and UCE-2.

5. The evidence set forth in this affidavit demonstrates probable cause to issue a criminal complaint charging Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(c). Fox, Garbin, Franks, Harris and Caserta are residents of Michigan, and Croft is a resident of Delaware.

CONSPIRACY TO KIDNAP THE GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN

6. In early 2020, the FBI became aware through social media that a group of individuals were discussing the violent overthrow of certain government and law-enforcement components. Among those individuals identified were Croft and Fox. Through electronic communications, Croft and Fox agreed to unite others in their cause and take violent action against multiple state governments that they believe are violating the U.S. Constitution.

Group Meeting in Ohio to Discuss the Operation

7. On June 6, 2020, Croft, Fox and approximately 13 other people from several states gathered in Dublin, Ohio. CHS-1 was present at this meeting.^[1] The group talked about creating a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient. They discussed different ways of achieving this goal from peaceful endeavors to violent actions. At one point, several members talked about state governments they believed were violating the U.S. Constitution, including the government of Michigan and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Several members talked about murdering “tyrants” or “taking” a sitting governor. The group decided they needed to increase their numbers and encouraged each other to talk to their neighbors and spread their message. As part of that recruitment effort, Fox reached out to a Michigan based militia group (the “militia group.”)

8. The militia group had already been brought to the attention of the FBI by a local police department in March 2020, when members of the militia group were attempting to obtain the addresses of local law-enforcement officers. At the time, the FBI interviewed a member of the militia group who was concerned about the group’s plans to target and kill police officers, and that person agreed to become a CHS.

Attempted Recruitment of the Militia Group and Others

9. As reported by CHS-2 and confirmed by the FBI, the militia group periodically meets for field training exercises (“FTX”)^[2] on private property in remote areas of Michigan, where they engage in firearms training and tactical drills.^[3] CHS-2 told the FBI that, at a FTX on June 14, 2020, one of the founders of the militia group said he had been introduced to Fox. During that exercise, the militia group leadership had a call with Fox, who invited them to meet at his business in Grand Rapids, Michigan, later in the week.

10. Fox, in coordination with Croft, met with members of the militia group at various times in June 2020. During one such meeting on June 18, 2020, which was audio recorded by CHS-2, Fox, militia group leadership, including Michigan resident Ty Garbin, and CHS-2 met at a Second Amendment rally at the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan. In an effort to recruit more members for the operation, Fox told Garbin and CHS-2 he planned to attack the Capitol and asked them to combine forces.

The Operation Focuses on Governor Whitmer

11. As previously discussed, the FBI was able to monitor much of the activity between Fox and others through the use of CHSs. On June 14, 2020, CHS-2 participated in a consensually recorded telephone call with Fox, who described the meeting in Dublin, Ohio. Fox said he needed “200 men” to storm the Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan, and take hostages, including the Governor. Fox explained they would try the Governor of Michigan for “treason,” and he said they would execute the plan before the November 2020 elections.

12. On June 20, 2020, Fox, Garbin, and several other individuals, including CHS-2, met at Fox’s business in Grand Rapids. As part of Fox’s operational security, the attendees met in the basement of the shop, which was accessed through a trap door hidden under a rug on the main floor. Fox collected all of their cellular phones in a box and carried them upstairs to prevent any monitoring. CHS-2 was wearing a recording device, however, and captured the audio from the meeting. The attendees discussed plans for assaulting the Michigan State Capitol, countering law enforcement first responders, and using “Molotov cocktails” to destroy police vehicles. The attendees also discussed plans for an additional meeting during the first weekend of July when they also would conduct firearms and tactical training.

13. On June 25, 2020, Fox live-streamed a video to a private Facebook group that included CHS-2, in which he complained about the judicial system and the State of Michigan controlling the opening of gyms. Fox referred to Governor Whitmer as “this tyrant bitch,” and stated, “I don’t know, boys, we gotta do something. You guys link with me on our other location system, give me some ideas of what we can do.” The video was preserved by the FBI.

Training and Planning to Kidnap the Michigan Governor

14. On June 28, 2020, Fox, Fox’s girlfriend, Garbin, Michigan resident Kaleb Franks, Michigan resident Brandon Caserta, and CHS-2 attended a tactical training exercise at the Munith, Michigan, residence of a militia-group member. After the training, Franks left the residence. Other people, including Fox, Garbin, Caserta, and CHS-2 remained at the residence and were told to leave if they were not willing to participate in attacks against the government and in kidnapping politicians. Fox, Garbin, Caserta, and CHS-2 stayed for the rest of the meeting. Franks left before the end of the night, though his departure does not appear to be related to Franks’ commitment to the conspiracy.^[4]

15. Over the weekend of July 10–12, 2020, Fox, Croft, Garbin, Franks, Caserta, CHS-2, and others attended a FTX in Cambria, Wisconsin. Attendees participated in firearms training and other combat drills. On July 11, at the exercise, Croft and a member of the militia group attempted to construct an improvised explosive device (“IED”), using black powder, balloons, a fuse, and BBs for shrapnel. Croft, Garbin and the militia group member attempted to make a second IED using similar components. The construction of the devices was faulty, and they did not detonate as planned. CHS-2 provided FBI with video of the event. Franks also brought and fired a rifle with a silencer at the exercise. Attendees shared photos and video recordings of the exercise in Facebook discussions that included CHS-2.

16. On July 18, 2020, Garbin, Fox, Croft, Harris, Franks, CHS-2, and other individuals met in Ohio. CHS-2 provided the FBI with an audio recording of the meeting. The attendees discussed attacking a Michigan State Police facility, and in a separate conversation after the meeting, Garbin suggested shooting up the Governor’s vacation home, which is located in the Western District of Michigan (“the vacation home.”) The same day, Garbin told CHS-2 and others that he did not want to go after the Capitol. He said he was “cool” with going after the Governor’s vacation home, however, even if it only resulted in destruction of property.

17. On July 27, 2020, CHS-2 met Fox at his business in Grand Rapids. CHS-2 provided the FBI with an audio recording of the meeting. Fox said their best opportunity to abduct Governor Whitmer would be when she was arriving at, or leaving, either her personal vacation home or the Governor’s official summer residence. Both residences are located in the Western District of Michigan. Fox described it as a “Snatch and grab, man. Grab the fuckin’ Governor. Just grab the bitch. Because at that point, we do that, dude -- it’s over.” Fox said that after kidnapping the Governor, the group would remove her to a secure location in Wisconsin for “trial.” Fox suggested they get a realtor to help them find the exact location of the vacation home and collect information on the surrounding homes and structures. Fox discussed the importance of knowing the layout of the yard, homes, and security. Fox stated they needed to map out the surrounding property and gates, and they needed plumbers and electricians to help them read blueprints to refine their strategy. Fox also suggested recruiting an engineer or “IT [Information Technology] guy,” a “demo guy,” and other “operators.”

18. On July 27, 2020 Fox asked in an encrypted group chat, which included Garbin, Harris, Franks and CHS-2, “OK, well how’s everyone feel about kidnapping?” No one responded to the question.

19. On July 28, 2020, Fox told CHS-2 over the phone that he had narrowed down his attack targets to the vacation home and the summer residence. The call was not recorded. The same day, Fox posted the following to a private Facebook page: “We about to be busy ladies and gentlemen … This is where the Patriot shows up. Sacrifices his time, money, blood sweat and tears … it starts now so get fucking prepared!!”

20. On August 9, 2020, Fox, Garbin, Harris, Franks, and CHS-2 participated in a tactical training in Munith, Michigan. CHS-2 provided the FBI with an audio recording of the training. Fox asked the group about kidnapping Governor Whitmer. According to CHS-2, Garbin initially expressed reluctance to talk about the plan in that setting. After the training, Fox, CHS-2, and others participated in a group call that was recorded by CHS-2. Fox suggested another member of the militia group could gather information about Governor Whitmer’s primary residence in Lansing, and Fox discussed destroying the Governor’s boat. After the call, Fox, Franks, Garbin, Harris, and CHS-2 communicated in an encrypted group chat. In that chat, Harris stated, “Have one person go to her house. Knock on the door and when she answers it just cap her … at this point. Fuck it.” He added, “I mean … fuck, catch her walking into the building and act like a passers-by and fixing dome her then yourself whoever does it.” (sic). In a follow-up chat about the plan, Franks told CHS-2, “OK sounds good I’m in for anything as long as its well planned.”

21. On August 18, 2020, in an encrypted group chat that included Fox, Harris, Garbin, Franks, CHS-2, and others, Franks expressed interest in taking part in a surveillance of the vacation home. In an effort to locate the Governor’s vacation home, one of the members named specific cities where it could be located and told the group to check these cities. In a private chat later on August 18, 2020, the same person told CHS-2 the name of the lake in northern Michigan where the vacation home is located, and he said he was looking for an escape route using a boat on the lake.

The Group Uses Operational Security Measures to Avoid Detection

22. The conspirators often communicate via encrypted online platforms and use “code words” or phrases to describe their plans in a self-proclaimed effort to avoid law-enforcement detection. For example, on July 24, 2020, CHS-2 and Garbin contacted Fox by telephone. The call was recorded by CHS-2. Fox said he had researched the Governor’s office online, and he believed that the Governor kept only a ceremonial office in Lansing. Fox wondered aloud whether the group just needed to “party it out, make a cake and send it,” in what CHS-2 believed was a coded reference to sending a bomb to the Governor. Fox discussed the need to train for the next three months to be ready to engage. Fox stated, “In all honesty right now … I just wanna make the world glow, dude. I’m not even fuckin’ kidding. I just wanna make it all glow dude. I don’t fuckin’ care anymore, I’m just so sick of it. That’s what it’s gonna take for us to take it back, we’re just gonna have to everything’s gonna have to be annihilated man. We’re gonna topple it all, dude. It’s what great frickin’ conquerors, man, we’re just gonna conquer every fuckin’ thing man.” Fox and Garbin further discussed the need for the government to collapse because it has become so tyrannical.

23. On July 26, 2020, Fox told CHS-2 that he had not heard back from the “baker,” which the CHS understood to mean an explosives manufacturer. Fox told the CHS that he thought it might be better to focus on the vacation home and summer residence as potential targets. Fox also said, “Maybe we should just make a bunch of cupcakes and send them out,” in an apparent reference to a more widespread bombing campaign. CHS-2 understood these code words and phrases because the group often used such language when talking about explosives.

24. On August 23, 2020, Garbin, Harris, Franks, Caserta, CHS-2, and three other individuals met at Harris’s residence in Lake Orion, Michigan. CHS-2 provided FBI with an audio recording of the meeting. The group had discussed concerns about being infiltrated by law enforcement, and all attendees were required to bring personal documents to confirm their identities. During the meeting, Caserta asked Franks, “Franks, where you at?” Franks responded, “Same place. I’m ready to get it on. Doesn’t matter. It could be ‘cause somebody looked at us wrong.” CHS-2, referring to Fox, stated, “He is all about fuckin’ killin’ her.” Caserta responded, “God. Go on someone’s property and stuff like that. I would rather not scare them. Especially if it’s a fuckin’ political parasite. The world would be better without that person, I’ll say that.” CHS-2 explained that was why Fox wanted to do “recon” for the plan. The group discussed surveilling the vacation home in preparation for attacks on the Governor, and Franks advised he had recently spent almost $4,000 on a helmet and night-vision goggles. To address their concerns about law-enforcement infiltration, the attendees agreed to move their group chat to a different encrypted messaging application. Because the group still included CHS-2, the FBI has maintained the ability to consensually monitor the chat communications.

The Conspirators Conduct Surveillance of the Governor’s Home on Two Occasions

Daytime Surveillance on August 29, 2020

25. On August 29, 2020, Fox, CHS-2, and another individual conducted surveillance of the vacation home. CHS-2 provided FBI with an audio recording of the operation. Fox used his cell phone to attempt to locate the residence, but initially they had trouble finding it. He contacted a friend who had assisted them in the past; the friend told him where the vacation home was located and sent pictures of the home from the internet. Fox and the other individual located the vacation home, took photographs and slow-motion video from their vehicle as they drove by it, and discussed conducting additional surveillance from the water at a later date. The other individual then looked up the locations of the local police department and Michigan State Police in the area, and used them to estimate how long it would take law enforcement to respond to an incident at the vacation home. During the surveillance operation, Fox said, “We ain’t gonna let ‘em burn our fuckin’ state down. I don’t give a fuck if there’s only 20 or 30 of us, dude, we’ll go out there and use deadly force.”

26. On August 30, 2020, Fox shared photos from his surveillance trip to the encrypted chat group, which included Franks, Harris, Garbin and CHS-2. Garbin offered to paint his personal boat black to support the surveillance of the vacation home from the lake where the vacation home is situated. In a text message conversation the same day, Garbin asked CHS-2 how the surveillance trip had gone. CHS-2 shared a screenshot of a map of the area, which happened to show a bridge in the vicinity. Using symbols and emoticons, Garbin replied “If the 🌉 go 👇, it also ❌ the 🌊,” suggesting demolition of the bridge would hinder a police response. CHS-2 provided the FBI with an image of a hand-drawn map of the lake near the vacation home with the mileage of the nearest police departments and the estimated response time. CHS-2 provided FBI with a picture of Fox drawing that map.

Nighttime Surveillance on September 12–13, 2020

27. Over the weekend of September 12–13, 2020, Fox, Croft, Garbin, Franks, Harris, Caserta, CHS-2, a UCE, and another individual attended a FTX at Garbin’s property in Luther, Michigan. The location is approximately an hour and a half from the vacation home. CHS-2 and the UCE audio recorded the meetings and exercise. Croft brought what he referred to as his “chemistry set,” which included components for an IED. According to CHS-2, Croft constructed an IED by removing the cap from a commercial firework, adding additional black powder, and wrapping the device in pennies and electrical tape as shrapnel. During the exercise, the group set the device in a clearing surrounded by human silhouette targets, and Croft detonated it to test its anti-personnel effectiveness.

28. At the exercise, Fox took aside Croft, Garbin, Franks, Caserta, CHS-2, two UCEs, and four other people. Fox briefed them on the plan to kidnap Governor Whitmer, and he told them about his first surveillance of the property. Fox selected Croft, Garbin, Franks, the CHS, the UCEs, and the four other people, to conduct a nighttime surveillance of the vacation home in preparation for the kidnapping. Harris, Caserta, and another individual remained at the camp in Luther. Harris became aware of the surveillance the next day, and he expressed regret that he had not participated in the surveillance operation.

29. On September 12, 2020, while driving from Garbin’s property to Cadillac to bring others to the property, Fox told CHS-2 and another individual that the vacation home is the Governor’s actual house, “And it’s a perfect fuckin’ setup. Out of everywhere that she resides, this is the only one that’s probably actually feasible with a success rate.” That conversation was recorded by CHS-2.

30. During the late night of September 12 and early morning of September 13, the group drove from Luther to the vicinity of the vacation home in three separate vehicles. CHS-2 and the UCEs audio recorded the operation. Before leaving Luther, Croft asked Fox if the surveillance participants were armed. Fox confirmed that they were, and Croft suggested they take the opportunity to conduct an act of violence that night. Croft was eventually dissuaded of this notion and decided to wait for a better time.

31. Fox, Croft, CHS-2, a UCE, and an individual from Wisconsin traveled in the first vehicle. While in the vehicle, Croft and Fox discussed detonating explosive devices to divert police from the area of the vacation home. They stopped at the M-31 highway bridge on the way, where Fox and the UCE inspected the underside of the bridge for places to seat an explosive charge. Fox took a picture of the bridge’s support structure, which he later shared with CHS-2 in their encrypted chat. From there, they drove to a public boat launch across the lake from the vacation home to watch for the other cars in their group.

32. Garbin, Franks, and another individual from Wisconsin traveled in the second vehicle to the vicinity of the vacation home. A digital dash camera was mounted in the vehicle and was activated to record the surveillance for later reference, which footage was later shared with CHS-2, who provided it to the FBI. External-facing video footage from the camera shows what the conspirators observed of the Governor’s neighborhood, while the internal-facing footage captured Garbin, Franks, and the other member inside the vehicle on the way to the vacation home. A review of the dash camera footage revealed GPS data indicating that the vehicle was located in close proximity to the vacation home next to the lake. When the second vehicle arrived, the team contacted Fox, who was located in the first vehicle, to determine if they could see each other’s lights across the lake. Garbin asked the first vehicle, “Can you see my light?” Croft asked the second vehicle, “You got our guys?” CHS-2 replied, “We got you.”

33. Two of the other individuals and a UCE drove to the lake in the third vehicle. They were tasked by Fox to drive around and make sure no one was following or surveilling the group.

34. During the surveillance operation, Fox stated, “She fucking goddamn loves the power she has right now” and that “she has no checks and balances at all. She has uncontrolled power right now.” Croft stated, “All good things must come to an end.” Fox also remarked “I can see several states takin’ their fuckin’ tyrants. Everybody takes their tyrants.” The group also discussed how many people should be involved in the kidnapping operation.

35. During the ride back to Garbin’s property, Franks stated “We’re doin’ all the reconnaissance work, so it should go smooth.” After arriving back at Garbin’s property, CHS-2 asked, “Everybody down with what’s going on?” and someone stated, “If you’re not down with the thought of kidnapping, don’t sit here.” Garbin replied, “Oh no, we’re not kidnapping, that’s not what we’re doing,” which sparked general laughter. Amidst the laughter, another voice said, “No children!” and a voice added, “We’re adult napping.” Franks stated, “Kidnapping, arson, death. I don’t care.” The group then started discussing destroying the vacation home.

The Conspirators Begin Finalizing Plans to Kidnap Governor Whitmer

36. On the morning of September 13, 2020, the group reconvened at Garbin’s property in Luther, Michigan. Fox gathered Croft, Garbin, Franks, Harris, Caserta, CHS-2, the UCEs and two other individuals. CHS-2 recorded the discussion. Fox confirmed with the members that they were the group that was going to kidnap Governor Whitmer. An FBI UCE told Fox that it will cost approximately $4,000 to procure the explosives that Fox and Croft want to use, to blow up the bridge leading to the vacation home. Fox later shared that information with the group. The group agreed to conduct a final training exercise in late October.

37. On September 14, 2020, Fox posted in the group’s encrypted chat that he did not want the exercise to be the last week in October because it would leave insufficient time to execute the kidnapping before the national election on November 3, 2020. The group agreed to use the time until the final training exercise to raise money for explosives and other supplies.

38. On September 17, 2020, on an encrypted group chat that included Fox, Garbin, Franks, Harris, Caserta, CHS-2, and others, Fox asked the group what it thought of a militia group invitation to participate in an armed protest at the State Capitol. Garbin replied, “I would highly advise minimizing any communication with him. Also there needs to be zero and i mean zero public interaction if we want to continue with our plans.” Caserta replied, “When the time comes there will be no need to try and strike fear through presence. The fear will be manifested through bullets.” Fox responded, “Copy that boys, loud and clear!”

39. On September 30, 2020, Fox called CHS-2 on the phone and CHS-2 recorded the conversation. During the call, Fox discussed purchasing a taser for use in the kidnapping operation. Fox also told CHS-2 that Croft, Garbin, Harris, Franks, Caserta, and others were aware of the $4,000 cost. On October 2, 2020, Fox confirmed he purchased an 800,000 volt taser in an encrypted chat message with CHS-2.

40. FBI’s review of recent encrypted group chats indicates that, in preparation for their plan to kidnap Governor Whitmer, Fox, Garbin, Harris, and Franks plan to meet with a UCE on October 7, 2020, to make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear. Caserta said he could not attend because he will be at work. Croft has returned to Delaware and is not available for this exchange.

41. On several occasions, Fox has expressed his intention and desire to kidnap Governor Whitmer before November, 3, 2020, the date of the national election.

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1. The FBI has paid CHS-1 approximately $8,600 to date for expenses. CHS-1 does not have a criminal history and has been deemed reliable by the FBI. Information given by CHS-1 has been shown to be reliable and corroborated through review of recordings and physical surveillance. That meeting was recorded and provided to the FBI.
2. The individuals identified in this affidavit often refer to a “field training exercise” as an “FTX” and, as such, the same is done in this affidavit.
3. The FBI has paid CHS-2 approximately $14,800 to date, for reporting and expenses. CHS-2 does not have a criminal history and has been deemed reliable by the FBI. Information given by CHS-2 has been shown to be reliable and corroborated through review of recordings and physical surveillance. CHS-2 also consensually recorded certain meetings and provided those recordings to the FBI.
4. On July 7, 2020, Franks attended a meeting at the residence of another militia group member, and CHS-2 was in attendance. Franks said that he was “not cool with offensive kidnapping” and added that he was “just there for training,” or words to that effect. After the meeting, however, Franks actively continued to participate in the kidnapping plot, as further described below.

United States District Court
Western District of Michigan
Southern Division

United States of America,

Plaintiff,

v.

Adam Fox, Barry Croft,
Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks,
Daniel Harris and
Brandon Caserta,

Defendants.

__________________________________/

 

No. 1:20-mj-416-SJB

PENALTY SHEET

CHARGE: Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping [18 U.S.C. § 1201(c)]

Imprisonment:	Any term of years, up to life	[18 U.S.C. § 1201]
Fine:	Not more than $250,000	[18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(3)]
Supervised Release:	Not more than 5 years	[18 U.S.C. § 3583(b)(1)]
	Class A felony	[18 U.S.C. § 3559(a)(1)]

 

Date: 10/6/2020

⁠/s/ Nils R. Kessler
Counsel for the United States

Submitted in accordance with Admin. Order 17-MS-046