3 men sentenced seven to 12 years in kidnap plot against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

DETROIT – There men convicted of helping in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer were handed sentences Thursday ranging from seven to 12 years in prison.

Judge Thomas Wilson in Jackson County sentenced Pete Musico to 12 years in prison; his son-in-law, Joe Morrison, to 10, and Paul Bellar to seven. Musico and Morrison's sentences on the first two counts — providing material support for a terrorist act and gang membership — were to run consecutively, while Bellar's sentence was concurrent.

The defendants were each consecutively sentenced to using a gun while committing a felony.

Concurrent sentences run at the same time, while consecutive sentences are longer, running one after another.

PREVIOUS REPORTING: Convicted Whitmer kidnap plotters send private investigator to juror's workplace

Providing material support for a terrorist act and gang membership are felonies each punishable by up to 20 years. The defendants will be eligible for parole after serving their minimum sentences.

The defense argued that while "nothing happened," the men committed the most serious of crimes. Prosecutors said the men ultimately were seeking to inspire a U.S. civil war known as the boogaloo, and even though their plans were thwarted by law enforcement, they succeeded in intimidating office holders, potential candidates and residents.

Two years ago, the FBI arrested 14 men federal authorities said were involved in a kidnapping plot. Federal prosecutors held two trials, with two acquittals and four convictions. A second state case in Traverse City, with five men, was bound over for trial earlier this month.

THE CONVICTIONS: Jury finds two men guilty of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

The convictions, former Michigan-based federal prosecutor Mark Chutkow has said, may persuade the remaining defendants — Michael and William Null, Shawn Fix, Brian Higgins, Eric Molitor — to consider a different legal strategy or seek a plea deal.

In Jackson, the prosecution played a short video-recorded statement from the governor.

Lawyers for each defendant in Jackson appealed to the judge for lighter sentences, making the case that each man had 1st and 2nd Amendment rights, to speak their mind and possess firearms, and tried to show that they could be rehabilitated.

It seemed to do little to sway the judge.

In addition, Musico, 45, Morrison, 28, and Bellar, 24, each made statements, expressing regret for their actions. Morrison renounced his membership in the Watchmen and apologized to the governor. Bellar also apologized for his actions and turned to the court gallery to also apologize to his family.

Wilson listened to and acknowledged the pleas, but noted that hindsight was 20/20.

The state argued that all three men had joined with the leaders who plotted to kidnap Whitmer — Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr., who was convicted in federal court — and were members of a group, the Wolverine Watchmen, that engaged in illegal activity.

Whitmer was never physically harmed and no violence was committed, but the prosecution argued at sentencing that the men's actions were as bad as if they had. Prosecutors said the men made threats that not only were emotionally and psychologically damaging to the governor, but also to democracy.

Contributing: Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer kidnapping plot: 3 men sentenced in plot to kidnap governor