12/27/22 - Fox Sentenced to 16 Years for Leading Whitmer Kidnapping Plot

Accused ringleader Adam Fox sentenced for leading plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2020.

“I think it’s fair to say that none of this would have happened if Mr. Fox had not been involved.”

Those words from Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler punctuated the effort by the US Government to impose a severe sentence on the man they say helped galvanize a group to take action against the governor. 

Adam Fox will spend 16 years in prison after Judge Robert Jonker handed down the sentence in Grand Rapids.  Fox did not receive the sentence prosecutors had asked for - life behind bars.  However, Jonker did believe the case did deserve a very serious response, due in large part to the actions of others against the government.  Jonker says the actions on January 6th, along with threats made to other government officials from County Clerks to the office of the President, have contributed to hesitancy and fear from honest people seeking office.

“That does need a forceful sentence from the court.”

Attorneys for Fox had earlier contend that Fox was not the ringleader.  Today, they reiterated that argument when it came to sentencing.

In addition to the prison time, Fox will also spend five years on probation, pay two thousand dollars in fines, and participate in substance abuse prevention programs.

Another conspirator, Barry Croft is expected to be sentenced on Wednesday, also in Grand Rapids.