GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The first of five men facing federal charges in the alleged plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer learned his punishment Wednesday afternoon in federal court.
Ty Garbin was sentenced to 75 months, or 6.25 years, in prison on a felony conspiracy charge for his role in the alleged plot to kidnap the governor. Garbin will also have to pay $2,500 in fines.
Once he is released he will be under court supervision for 3 years. He will be subject to having his computer and social media accounts looked at by probation officers at will during that time.
"First I would like to apologize to Governor. Whitmer and her family. I never realized what my actions would do to her -- and also her family members. I can't imagine all of the stress that I caused to my family and friends. I never took into account the way my actions would impact their emotions. I was truly selfish, and I want to continue with "Parents for Peace," not just to de-radicalize myself, but to help others. I am truly sorry," Garbin said during his sentencing hearing.
Under standard sentencing guidelines, Garbin was looking at 14 to 17.5 years in prison but because he took a plea deal, prosecutors asked the judge to consider a much shorter sentence.
Prosecutors said in a recent court filing that Garbin admitted to them that this whole alleged conspiracy to kidnap and potentially kill the governor was “real; not just big talk between crackpots.”
The other four men facing federal charges have argued in court filings that the government was the true architect of the plan, laying the basis to present an entrapment defense when they eventually go to trial in October.
Their lawyers continue to push for more audio and video evidence collected by confidential informants to be released. So far, the government has resisted.
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