US Charges 6 Men in Plot to Kidnap State of Michigan Governor Whitmer, Justice Dept. Says

WASHINGTON, (Sputnik) - A US grand jury indicted six men in a conspiracy to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Justice Department announced in a press release on Thursday.

"The six were previously charged by complaint, but under the United States Constitution, the government must present such a felony case to a grand jury and obtain an indictment to proceed with the prosecution," US Attorney Andrew Birge said in the release.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer campaigns with Dan O'Neil, a Democratic candidate for the Michigan House in Traverse City, Mich., Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. Whitmer visited the area the day after police announced a foiled plot to kidnap the governor.

© AP Photo / John Flesher

Prosecutors said earlier that suspects included 14 anti-government militants angered by the COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions imposed by Whitmer.

Whitmer was never harmed and the plot was exposed by a paid informant and undercover agents embedded in the group. Authorities initially arrested 13 suspects in October, media reported.