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Wisconsin man arraigned in Antrim County for involvement in alleged Whitmer kidnapping plot

Michael Coghlan
/
Flickr

A Wisconsin man accused of surveilling Governor Whitmer’s vacation home in a plot to kidnap her was arraigned in a northern Michigan district court Tuesday afternoon.

Brian Higgins was charged with providing material support in a terrorist act, a felony which carries a 20-year maximum sentence. He joins eight other men facing state and federal charges in the alleged plot to kidnap and execute the governor.

Prosecutors say Higgins was instrumental in organizing surveillance of Whitmer’s Elk Rapids home. He provided the car, a dashcam and a night vision scope, according to Assistant Attorney General Gregory Townsend.

Antrim County 86th District Judge Noreen Kastys set his bond at $100,000, of which he can put up 10%.

Judge Kastys also stipulated that he must not have firearms, that he has no contact with Gov. Whitmer or her family and that he is on a GPS tether.

Higgins was recently extradited from Wisconsin after withdrawing an appeal.

He may reside in his Wisconsin Dells home until his preliminary exam, which will be set when Michigan courts begin to meet in person. His probable cause hearing is set for May 12.

Taylor Wizner covers heath, tourism and other news for Interlochen Public Radio.