Wisconsin Man Charged In Wolverine Watchmen Case Extradited

DETROIT — A 51-year-old Wisconsin man who was one of eight men charged in connection with a plot to kidnap and potentially kill Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 has been extradited and formally arraigned.

Brian Higgins, of Wisconsin Dells, was arraigned Tuesday from an Antrim County jail by Magistrate Norene Kastys. He is charged with providing material support of an act of terrorism, a 20-year felony.

“My office is pleased to see Mr. Higgins arraigned in Michigan,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “Our focus remains on holding those who seek to do violence against elected officials—and therefore undermine our democracy—accountable.”

Related: Wisconsin Man Accused In Plot Against Michigan Governor: AG

Higgins was extradited from Wisconsin after withdrawing his extradition appeal, authorities said. His bond was set at $100,000 and, if posted, would include a GPS tether and a weapons ban, among other restrictions.

Higgins provided assistance in the plan to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home, according to the AG's office. In an affidavit, authorities said Higgins gave other members of the Wolverine Watchmen night-vision goggles for nighttime surveillance of the governor's private vacation home. Authorities said he used a mounted digital dash camera to record the governor's home as well.

Higgins was the eighth person accused in a case being overseen by Nessel's office. Six others face federal charges in an investigation run by the FBI and U.S. attorneys.

Related: Michigan Militia Members Accused In Plot To Kidnap, Kill Whitmer

The investigation involved people from across Michigan, including Belleville, Cadillac, Canton, Charlotte, Clarkston, Grand Rapids, Luther, Munith, Orion Township, Ovid, Portage, Shelby Township and Waterford, Nessel said previously.

Federal authorities became aware of the conspiracy to kidnap Whitmer in early 2020 through social media, according to the records.