Skip to Main
News

Guilty on All Counts: Fox, Croft Convicted of Whitmer Kidnapping Plot

9&10 Logo

Guilty on all counts.

Adam Fox and Barry Croft are heading to prison for their roles in the kidnapping plot of Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

The jury came back with the decision in just about eight hours of deliberation. That is much shorter than the four and a half days a previous jury used to come to a hung jury,  leading to this second trial.

This has been a case two years in the making. It’s come out with two men pleading guilty before the trials began, two men completely acquitted on all charges and now a jury finding Croft and Fox guilty on all counts.

“The defendants in this case believe that their anti-government views justified violence,” said David Turner, the FBI Special Agent-In-Charge, “Today’s verdict made it clear that they were wrong.”

Croft and Fox are the two men repeatedly said, by multiple witnesses, to be the leaders of the plot to kidnap Governor Whitmer.

“No governor, no public official should have to contend with what Governor Whitmer did here,” said US Attorney Andrew Birge, “All of our elected officials, everyone, deserves to be able to live in safety, not fear.”

The prosecution played dozens of recordings, showed dozens more postings made by the two men about their desire to kidnap, and most likely kill, Whitmer. Centered around a plot that included taking her from her family’s cottage and blowing up a bridge

“You can criticize your government, you can protest your government, you can vote your elected officials out of office, however what you cannot do is plan to commit acts of violence,” said Turner.

Six men were originally charged federally, seven more in state court. Fox and Croft are the only two found guilty by a jury so far.

“My client is disappointed with the verdict,” said Chris Gibbons, Fox’s attorney, “It’s been a good fight. We did it twice in a row, we were hoping for a different outcome today.”

Following two acquittals in the last trial, a conviction wasn’t a slam dunk.

“The jury was very difficult to read throughout the entire process, they kept their game face on, so here we are,” said Gibbons.

“This isn’t the outcome that we wanted but there’s more work to be done,” said Josh Blanchard, Croft’s attorney, “That’s what we’re focused on.”

That would be an appeal. Blanchard filed a motion saying a juror bragged to a friend that their mind was made up ahead of time, and tainted the process.

“You heard the judge invite a motion concerning a jury issue that’s outstanding,” said Blanchard, “So that’s probably the next thing you’ll see.”

Already two years in, and sure to go longer, despite the final decision by the jury.

“The federal courts do allow for an appeals process but generally that something that happens after a judgment has been entered,” said Gibbons, “That won’t happen until after a sentencing.”

Outside of Fox and Croft’s sentencing and appeal, there will also soon be the sentencing of Kaleb Franks, one of the two men who pleaded guilty before the trials began. His sentencing was going to hinge on his effectiveness, and willingness, to be a witness for the government. He testified in both trials. As for Fox and Croft, they face up to life in prison.

9&10 Logo

Local Trending News