Federal judge sentences man who tried to kidnap Michigan governor to 19 years in prison

Federal Judge Robert Jonker sentenced Barry Croft Jr., the Delaware truck driver who tried to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer from her home in the summer of 2020, to 19 years in prison.

Croft Jr. was one of the ringleaders of the plan. The culprit detonated explosives in an attempt to kidnap Whitmer and was going to use a grenade launcher and a machine gun to fight against security forces at the Michigan governor's home, as detailed in the case's investigation. Aside from attempted kidnapping, prosecutors sought life imprisonment for Croft Jr.

"I'm not someone who is willing to ever give up on anyone. And that's why I think, in particular, life sentences are very unusual. Because, by definition, you're not giving people the opportunity to come back into the fold," Judge Jonker said.

The court also sentenced the co-leader of the scheme, Adam Fox, and three others to 16 years in prison.